Founding of Google: September 4, 1998

On September 4, 1998, Google was officially incorporated as a private company by Larry Page and Sergey Brin, two PhD students at Stanford University. This marked the beginning of what would become one of the most influential technology companies in the world.

Background

• Larry Page and Sergey Brin: The duo met at Stanford University in 1995. Both were pursuing their PhDs in computer science and shared an interest in the structure and organization of information on the internet.

• The Idea: Page and Brin developed a search engine initially called “Backrub,” which used links to determine the importance of individual web pages. This innovative approach was based on the concept of ranking pages by their relevance and connectivity, which was a significant departure from existing search engines at the time.

Key Events Leading to the Founding

• Development of the Algorithm: The core technology behind Google was the PageRank algorithm, which Page and Brin developed as part of their research. This algorithm evaluated the importance of web pages based on the number and quality of links pointing to them.

• Initial Funding: In August 1998, Sun Microsystems co-founder Andy Bechtolsheim wrote a check for $100,000 to “Google Inc.” before the company was even formally established. This investment was crucial in the early days of the company.

• Incorporation: Google was incorporated on September 4, 1998, in Menlo Park, California. The company’s first office was in a garage owned by Susan Wojcicki, who later became the CEO of YouTube.

Significance and Impact

• Growth and Expansion: Google quickly grew from a research project to a full-fledged company. By 2000, it had become the world’s largest search engine, indexing over a billion web pages.

• Innovation and Influence: Google’s approach to search technology revolutionized how information was accessed on the internet. The company’s commitment to innovation led to the development of numerous products and services beyond search, including Gmail, Google Maps, and the Android operating system.

• Cultural and Economic Impact: Google has had a profound impact on global culture and the economy. It has shaped how people access information, conduct business, and communicate. The company’s success also paved the way for the rise of other tech giants in Silicon Valley.

Conclusion

The founding of Google on September 4, 1998, was a pivotal moment in the history of technology. Larry Page and Sergey Brin’s vision and innovative approach to organizing information laid the foundation for a company that continues to influence the digital landscape profoundly.