When did the FAA stop issuing pilots licenses?

[Capt. Geoffrey Thorpe]

The Pilot's Handbook of Aeronautical Knowledge documents when the first license was issued:

The Aeronautics Branch of the Department of Commerce
began pilot certification with the first license issued on

April 6, 1927. The recipient was the chief of the Aeronautics
Branch, William P. MacCracken, Jr.[Figure 1-8] (Orville
Wright, who was no longer an active flier, had declined the
honor.) MacCracken’s license was the first issued to a pilot
by a civilian agency of the Federal Government. Some 3
months later, the Aeronautics Branch issued the first Federal
aircraft mechanic license.

But, as we all know (having heard it on the internet), we don't get pilots licenses anymore - they are certificates.

When did it change?

 

[Jim Logajan]

When the internet nazis came to power.