Author: Brian
Google began as a research project by Larry Page and Sergey Brin at Stanford University in 1996. Originally called BackRub, it focused on analyzing the backlinks of websites to determine their importance.
Google's name is a play on the mathematical term "googol," which refers to the number 1 followed by 100 zeros. This reflects Google's mission to organize the seemingly infinite amount of information available online.
The first ever Google server was built out of Lego bricks to house its initial storage units! Google's founders are known for their playful spirit, with the first ever Google Doodle being a Burning Man stick figure left as an out-of-office message.
Google has a robust "Arts & Culture" platform that allows users to virtually explore museums and historical landmarks around the world. You can even use your phone to create 360-degree panoramas of your surroundings and contribute them to the project!
Google's homepage is available in a staggering 80 languages, making information accessible to a vast majority of the world's population. They're constantly working to add new languages and features to bridge the digital divide.