From the LiteStep docs: http://lsdocs.shellfront.org/
"LiteStep was originally written a few years back by LoneRunnr, who didn't want to do things "the Microsoft way". After some time he stopped working on the project and opened the source up under the General Public License.
Once LiteStep was released, the project was picked up by some programmers, who have made it to the software you have downloaded today."
And from the faq: http://lsfaq.shellfront.org/modules.php?op=modload&name=FAQ&file=index&myfaq=yes&id_cat=1&categories=Basics#1
"Litestep is a shell replacement for Windows 95, 98, and NT, that will give your Windows desktop the AfterSTEP look & feel. [...] Litestep was designed originally by Francis Gastellu, aka LoneRunnr/Aegis, gastellu@club-internet.fr. It has been released under the GNU public license, and is now being worked on by a group of programmers."