But to be honest: AD&D (1st and 2nd ed) also had level limits for non-humans on all classes … but at least they could have multiple classes the same time while humans could only change their class in gameplay. The 3rd ed D&D was the first where humans could also multiclass and were not more powerful then the others. It was the first real balanced D&D ^^
And yes, That’s why the humans are ruling the world in the most settings of Fantasy RPGs … Rule by numbers! ^^
Thats nearly worse 
The dragonlance world was originally based on AD&D and their other races are quite nifty.
Japp, but the solution for D&D 3.5 (the newest Dragonlance setting book I have) those more powerful races have an level adjustment like the Drow in Core D&D. For example the Centaures were +4 while some had +6 … Glad that Pathfinder had stopped with the level adjustment and just balanced the stats and boni. Now only few races are really powerful, but also come with some disadvantages (most times the hatred of all people who think they are just MONSTERS! ^^).
But to keep at Dragonlance: The oldest RPG book I own is a Atlas of Ansalon/Krynn. Printed in four colors in the year of 1987 … even my Traveller 1st Edition Book and the D&D compendium are newer ^^. I still use this atlas cuz I love the time where the gods left the world (the time before Tharkisis took it after Chaos was defeated) which was also the state of the Story when the book was printed. Also, it has real cool 3d-Maps to many fortresses or some of the Towers of High Sorcery. It’s a little fragment of RPG history in my collection 
Speaking of Warhammer 40k, (please ignore or move this elsewhere if it´s too of-topic)
I´m currently considering to start playing it. Any recommendations for a tabletop beginner?
I already read into it and I´m currently wavering between Necrons (for their apparent trolling capabilities) and the Tau (barrage ftw)
It’s the off topic category, so I don’t much worry about it going off on a tangent
I’m very much a fan of the Tau not just because of their table top potential, but also for just how fun they are to paint and build, which is (imo) an equally important part of getting into the game.
It’s been a long time since my old 40k Eldar army has seen the light of day. They’re all metal figures as well… not any of this plastic stuff they use today 
I much preferred creating scenery than painting the figures themselves, but that’s just me.
Haha, yeah that’s pretty fun too! I haven’t really built any of my own terrain lately since my local games shop has tables with a huge selection of prefabricated modular terrain to customize battlefields with now. My army just sits on a mantel in my living room.
Yeah on a pure optical consideration I´d also favor the taus, however in PvP(games) I generally favor annoying my enemy while winning over 'just winning’
How long does it take to get familiar with the rules? (I pirated a rulebook to get a first impression before buying one and the amount of rules seems pretty overwhelming)
Man, the rules can be a bit crazy. My Blood Angel army alone uses the 40k general book, the Space Marine codex, and the chapter specific Blood Angel codex (which has a sub-codex for a specific Company of that chapter, the Death Company!) Knowing the rules for other armies and races is hugely important too. It’s complicated, but the best way to learn it is to just jump in.