> single file HTML with embedded images would be a much better format

Or use epub, which lets you store the images as part of the zip archive without having to store binary files as bloated and text editor killing base64 text.

Yes, you're right. Another benefit of epub is that existing reader apps already have good support for highlights, bookmarks and comments.

have you ever printed a webpage?

Yep. A while ago, I used wkhtml2pdf to write a document in Markdown (Pandoc) and convert it to PDF.

It worked fine. There where some minor issues around page breaks. But then again, most people don't use paper for reading anymore, so I'll happily accept these minor issues over the absolute inconsistent hell that is text-selection, searching and hyperlinks in most PDFs.

For how long do we still need to print a paper?

For as long as I use time sitting on public transport and airplanes to review them. Nothing beats the ergonomics of a printout, a red pen and no internet.

I think the same way but I'm also pretty sure that the generation to come does not appreciate it anymore.

I hope that e-inc displays will mature. Paired with the UX of a modern I Pad this will replace printed stuff.

Or a decent paperback novel.

Reading long form content on a screen gives me awful eyestrain.

Plus I love the smell of a good book.

Paper is the best form of long term storage of data we have besides stone tablets.