Google's 25th birthday

How it all began and 10 fascinating facts

Google, once a humble search engine prototype, has expanded far beyond its origins. As it celebrates its milestone, here are some fascinating facts from its remarkable history:

1. The Garage Startup

Google was founded by Larry Page and Sergey Brin in 1998 while they were Ph.D. students at Stanford University. The company started in a garage in Menlo Park, California.

2. The Name Game

The name "Google" originated from a misspelling of "googol," which refers to the number represented by 1 followed by 100 zeros. It was chosen to signify the vast amount of information the search engine aimed to organize.

3. The First Doodle

In 1998, Google's first-ever doodle was created when Larry and Sergey attended the Burning Man festival. The stick figure behind the second "o" in the logo was intended as a comical message to inform users that they were "out of office."

4. The Billion-Dollar Check

In 2004, Google went public, and its founders wrote a letter to potential investors stating that their goal was to "organize the world's information and make it universally accessible and useful." The company raised $1.67 billion, making it worth over $23 billion at the time.

5. The Acquisition Spree

Over the years, Google has acquired numerous companies, including YouTube, Android, Waze, and Nest Labs. These acquisitions have allowed Google to expand its reach and diversify its offerings.

6. The Googleplex

Google's headquarters, known as the Googleplex, is located in Mountain View, California. It spans over 2 million square feet and houses various amenities for employees, such as fitness centers, swimming pools, and even a dinosaur skeleton.

7. The Google Search Algorithm

Google's search algorithm, known as PageRank, revolutionized the way search engines ranked web pages. It analyzed the quality and quantity of links pointing to a page to determine its relevance, making search results more accurate and useful.

8. The Google Maps Journey

Google Maps, launched in 2005, quickly became a popular navigation tool. It offers street maps, satellite imagery, real-time traffic conditions, and even indoor views of certain locations.

9. The Android Revolution

Google's acquisition of Android Inc. in 2005 led to the development of the Android operating system. Today, Android is the most widely used mobile operating system globally, powering millions of smartphones and tablets.

10. The Google Assistant

Google Assistant, an artificial intelligence-powered virtual assistant, was introduced in 2016. It can perform tasks, answer questions, and engage in natural language conversations, making it a valuable tool for users.

Google's 25th birthday is a testament to its incredible journey from a garage startup to a global technology giant. As it continues to innovate and shape the digital landscape, there's no doubt that Google will remain a driving force for years to come.