For all the biggest fans of this great search engine, let them know that today, August 30, exactly 24 years have passed since we were able to see the first Doodle in history. And, although it is true that problems have arisen with this giant throughout its already long history, it is difficult not to look back with some fondness when talking about Google as a tool.
Because basically no matter where you are in the world right now, Google will always be there with some mythical Doodles to commemorate any possible occasion for which it finds an excuse, be it special or not, because we have seen it all.
First of all let’s make a little introduction for those who are still a bit lost. Google Doodles is a tool on the company’s home page that is often used to highlight globally affecting issues, historical events, and celebrations around the world.
These Doodles can be as simple as additions to the traditional logo, as is the case with these types of anniversaries, but they often go so far as to completely redesign the Google logo with incredible artistic creations.
Knowing this, 24 years since the first Doodle is enough for many considering that it launches quite a few every year.
When did Google Doodles start?
Highlight a rather curious aspect and it is that these have existed on your home page for longer than the company. The first Google Doodle, appeared on August 30, 1998to celebrate the annual Burning Man event in the United States (an art and music event).
It was designed by Google co-founders Larry Page and Sergey Brin.to inform Google’s then fledgling user base that the founders would not be available to service the servers in the event of a crash, as they would be leaving for Burning Man.
From here, the idea of a Google Doodle was slowly moving forward. For example, one of the most acclaimed was in 2000, when Dennis Hwang, a South Korean graphic artist, was asked to create a Doodle for Bastille Day.
In 2001, Google started making them themselves. A team was created (initially led by Hwang himself) dedicated exclusively to creating these, affectionately known as “doodlers”.
Already since 2008 there is a contest called “Doodle 4 Google”, in which whoever wants can present their creations. If they win, they receive a university sponsorship of up to 30,000 dollars, apart from appearing, of course, on the Google page.
As you can see, at first they were simple doodles, in which, when you passed the cursor over it, it only indicated what they were celebrating. But, we can mark an exact date of change and, since 2010 Google Doodles have become much more creative.
It was in January of that year that Google released its first animated Doodle to commemorate Isaac Newton’s birth anniversary, and in May 2010, Google released its first interactive Doodle game where users could (and still can) play Doodle. Pac Man.
Today, Google Doodles continue to be created by a changing team of artists and experienced graphic design professionals to commemorate all kinds of world events, milestones for Google, and celebrity anniversaries and birthdays.
Clicking on these can sometimes bring up a mini-game or interactive object, but most of the time it just gets users to do a search on that specific topic.
Yes, it is true that originally, the Doodles were dedicated to very marked and solemn events for everyone. Nowadays, any excuse is good to show a different logo with a nice image, whatever the character.
Some mythical Doodles
As we have mentioned before, the topic of a Doodle often depends on world events and they do not always have to be of the utmost importance.
However, there are some mythical ones, which, either because of the day they commemorate or because of their relevance to the world, whatever the reason, we have a certain affection for them. In 2011, Google dedicated a short film of about two minutes of duration to Charles Chaplin on the occasion of his 122nd anniversary.
Another example, in April 2020, when the coronavirus pandemic hit the whole world, Google dedicated a two-week block of Doodles to the essential workers who were helping the world keep going during that horrible year.
In relation to International Women’s Day, Google always shows a well-done Doodle, but in 2017 the commemoration went further. Google taught the whole world the unknown story of 13 women who were pioneers and who have changed the world.
As you can see, these have almost become an institution worthy of being mentioned in the media, either because Google has wanted to make a meme or, on the other hand, they commemorate some relevant event and make a show of design and entertainment. Be that as it may, we are already waiting for your next Doodle, but first of all, congratulations.