History

Google was founded on the 4th of September 1998, in the USA by Larry Page and Sergy Brin. It began as a search engine which has envolved into a tech empire. It is used massively by the whole population and recently, it has been called “The strongest company in the world”.
1.1 Early History
In 1996, Larry Page and Sergey Brin, two Ph.D. students at Stanford University, started a project called “BackRub,” which laid the foundation for what would later become Google. Although often unmentioned, a third key contributor, Scott Hassan, was also involved in the early development of the project. However, he left before Google became a reality and later pursued a career in robotics, founding Willow Garage in 2006.
By 1998, Page and Brin officially incorporated their company as Google Inc. The name “Google” was inspired by the mathematical term “googol,” which represents the number 1 followed by 100 zeros, symbolizing the vast amount of information the search engine aimed to organize.
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1.2 Key Milestones
In 2000, Google launched AdWords, its advertising platform, revolutionizing online advertising. Four years later, in 2004, the company introduced Gmail, offering an unprecedented 1GB of free storage, far surpassing competitors at the time.
In 2006, Google expanded its reach by acquiring YouTube, solidifying its presence in online video content. Two years later, in 2008, the company launched Google Chrome, a web browser designed for speed and efficiency.
By 2015, Google underwent a major restructuring, forming Alphabet Inc. as its parent company to oversee its various ventures and innovations.
1.3 Impact on the World
Google has established itself as a global powerhouse, processing over 8.5 billion searches daily through its search engine. Beyond search, the company has driven innovation by popularizing free email services, cloud storage solutions, and open-source operating systems. Its economic impact is substantial, generating revenue through advertising while supporting millions of businesses worldwide.
1.4 Fun Facts
Google has a history filled with fascinating facts and quirky innovations. The company’s original server was uniquely built using LEGO bricks, showcasing its founders’ creative approach. In its early days, Google also experimented with a search engine capable of functioning even if part of it was offline.One of its most well-known features, the “I’m Feeling Lucky” button, allows users to bypass search results and go directly to the top-ranking page. While beloved by many, this feature costs Google millions of dollars annually in lost ad revenue.
Adding to its playful culture, Google has made April Fool’s Day a tradition, releasing elaborate pranks each year that entertain users worldwide.