What are the origins of the Google Doodle?
Did you know that the first Google Doodle was created by Google founders Larry Page and Sergey Brin in 1998 to celebrate the Burning Man festival? Now they’re one of the most notable ways to commemorate major events, holidays and people from around the world.
Over the years, the Google Doodle has evolved from a simple static design to complex, interactive logos that instantly catch users’ attention when they log on to start a search. The first interactive Google Doodle was created in 2010 to celebrate Pac-Man's 30th anniversary. The playable Pac-Man game was so popular that it stayed on the Google homepage for two days and reportedly caused a loss of 4.8 million hours of productivity.
If you're a business leader, you can learn a thing or two from the success of Google Doodles. Creativity and innovation can help your business stand out from the competition and engage your customers in unique and memorable ways. So why not take a leaf out of Google's book and try something new? Who knows, you might just create the next big thing.
How has the Google Doodle changed?
Google Doodles have come a long way since they began all those years ago. The simple designs of the past have given way to interactive logos that actually pull users away from what they came to Google for. From playable games to augmented reality experiences, Google Doodles are constantly pushing the boundaries of what’s possible.
They’re more than entertainment though. The Google Doodle will highlight major events and people that aren’t always well-known but are significant to various communities around the world.
In 2020, Google created a series of Google Doodles to honor essential workers during the COVID-19 pandemic. These doodles recognized the sacrifices made by healthcare workers, grocery store employees, delivery drivers and others who continued to work on the front lines. They put human faces on something everyone was experiencing.