Google turns 27 today, and over the past years, it has evolved into much more than just a technology company — it has become a part of our daily lives. From providing instant answers to your questions, helping you travel the world with Google Maps, to saving your memories on Google Drive — it plays a pivotal role in modern digital living. Let’s take a look back at Google’s journey, from its humble beginnings in a garage to becoming one of the world’s most powerful tech companies.
The Backrub Legacy
In 1996, Larry Page and Sergey Brin, then PhD students at Stanford University, developed a research project called Backrub. It was designed to rank web pages based on the number and quality of backlinks. This academic effort laid the foundation for what would soon become Google.
From a Garage in Menlo Park
Google Inc. was officially incorporated in 1998. Soon after, Larry and Sergey rented a garage from Susan Wojcicki in Menlo Park, California, for $1,700 per month — marking Google’s first office space.
First Investment
In August 1998, Andy Bechtolsheim, co-founder of Sun Microsystems, wrote a $100,000 check to Google Inc. — even before the company officially existed! This early act of belief helped kickstart the company’s incorporation and rapid growth.
From Garage to First Office
Within a few months, the growing team outgrew the garage. By early 1999, Google moved into a more formal office space in Palo Alto as the headcount and technology capabilities expanded.
Evolution of Google’s Products
Over the years, Google evolved from just a search engine into a vast tech ecosystem. It launched major platforms and services including: YouTube, Android, Gmail, Google Maps, Google Drive, Google Photos, Google Cloud, and AI and Machine Learning tools. In 2015, Google was restructured under a new parent company, Alphabet Inc., to better manage its growing range of ventures.
Leadership and Ownership
Larry Page and Sergey Brin retained most of their control over Google through Class B high-voting shares. Today, Sundar Pichai serves as the CEO of both Google and Alphabet, leading the company into the future.
🎉 Conclusion
What began as a university project has become one of the most influential companies in the world. Google’s journey from a garage in Menlo Park to a global tech powerhouse is a story of innovation, vision, and relentless pursuit of making information universally accessible.