What does the term "hero" mean and why was it used to name a site/page's "primary message"?
Specifically I'm wondering if the term "hero" or phrase "hero unit" is some common nomenclature used in web design that I've managed to miss.
The term "hero" is used by movie/television prop designers; a "hero prop" is the one built for closeups. It's got the most detail, and is most realistic. It's the best version of a prop, the most important one. I have always assumed that’s where they got the term from.