No, it is not just you. Wikipedia has an interesting chapter about how cookies were invented and how were they used in the beginning: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/HTTP_cookie#History
I've read it, but I still don't see any explanation about how cookies can actually help to protect privacy.
As I said above, I agree with you. There is no actual mention that cookies were created to protect privacy. Probably Lou Montulli was referring to the fact that his work group's specification for cookies was to not allow third-party cookies or to disable them by default - because cookies were identified as a privacy threat.
OK then I guess I misunderstood. In other words, I still don't have a clue why the writer of the original article thought that cookies can actually help to protect privacy.
