Google News, September 27, 2023: Google : A Search Engine That Changed the World
Twenty-seven years ago, two Stanford students began tinkering with an idea that would redefine how the world accesses information. Today, Google celebrates its 27th birthday, not with fanfare, but with a thoughtful nod to its origins. A commemorative Doodle on the homepage revives the company’s first-ever logo, reminding users of the humble beginnings of a tech titan that now answers billions of queries daily.
Google’s journey began in 1995 when Larry Page and Sergey Brin met at Stanford. What started as academic curiosity soon evolved into a revolutionary search engine. Originally named “Backrub,” the project was later rebranded as “Google”, a playful twist on “Googol,” the mathematical term for 10¹⁰⁰. The name stuck, thanks to a fortunate typo, and the company officially launched in 1998 with a $100,000 investment.
Though the exact date of Google’s birth has shifted over the years, September 27 was chosen in the mid-2000s to commemorate a major indexing milestone, a fitting tribute to its core mission: organizing the world’s information.
Google’s 27th Birthday: Nostalgia Meets Innovation
Today, Google operates under the umbrella of Alphabet Inc., a holding company formed in 2015 to streamline its expanding portfolio. While Alphabet is publicly traded, co-founders Page and Brin retain significant influence through special voting shares. The day-to-day reins, however, are in the hands of Sundar Pichai, who serves as CEO of both Google and Alphabet.
This year’s birthday Doodle isn’t just a visual treat, it’s a time capsule. By showcasing the original 1998 logo, Google invites users to reflect on how far the platform has come. But the celebration doesn’t stop there.
The Google Store is offering a 20% discount on select devices using the promo code BIRTHDAY27. Shoppers can snag deals on the Pixel 9 series, Pixel Buds Pro 2, Pixel Watch 3, and Fitbit Charge 6. Some purchases even come with exclusive stickers, wristlets, or store credit. The offer runs through September 28.
Google’s 27th birthday isn’t just a corporate milestone, it’s a cultural one. From reshaping how we learn and communicate to powering innovations in AI, healthcare, and transportation, Google’s influence is woven into the fabric of modern life. And as it continues to evolve under Alphabet’s stewardship, one thing remains unchanged: when in doubt, we still “Google it.”
