Google Turns 27: From humble origins in a California garage, Google has transformed from a groundbreaking academic project into the indispensable backbone of the modern digital world. The technology company, which pioneered a superior method for organising the internet’s information, now dictates how billions communicate, navigate, and consume data. This timeline highlights the critical moments that cemented Google’s rise to global technology leadership.
Key Milestones in Google’s Ascent:
- The BackRub Genesis (1996): The concept was born at Stanford University when PhD students Larry Page and Sergey Brin launched a research project called BackRub. This effort established the core algorithmic foundation by ranking webpages based on link authority.
- Official Incorporation (1998): Google Inc. was officially founded and established its first workspace in a rented Menlo Park garage, owned by future Google executive Susan Wojcicki, at a cost of per month.
- Pivotal Seed Funding: A crucial early investment arrived when Sun Microsystems co-founder Andy Bechtolsheim wrote a pivotal check for $$100,000 addressed to “Google Inc.” This action solidified the company’s incorporation and facilitated essential early funding.
- Relocation and Rapid Growth (1999): The rapid expansion of its team and technology quickly necessitated a move. Within months of its founding, Google relocated from the garage to a larger, dedicated office space in Palo Alto.
- The Birth of Alphabet (2015): Google evolved far beyond its original search engine, developing or acquiring products like YouTube, Android, Gmail, and Maps. To better manage these vast, expanding ventures and other investments, the company strategically reorganised under the parent holding company, Alphabet Inc.
- Current Leadership Structure: Founders Larry Page and Sergey Brin retain majority voting control through high-voting Class B shares. Sundar Pichai currently leads the corporation as CEO of both Google and Alphabet.
