When did housing developments start becoming common?

The oldest housing developments where I live all tend to be from the late 1940’s and early 1950’s, did that style of neighborhood development get it’s start after WWII? Or is that just when Austin (my home town) started to grow? Most houses before that point seem to be more of the custom built variety and have less in common with the houses around them other than the general style of the time.

In areas with older established neighborhoods were they generally built by one builder? Do they share a common style? How far back have companies bought large plots of land and pre-built houses on it en masse? What are the oldest neighborhoods like that where you live?

As a follow up, do you think the standard will ever turn away from housing developments for the average home buyer?

I searched wikipedia and a few other places but just found more information on zoning and planning, wondering more about when it became the norm