First Google Doodle Appears on Google Homepage in 1998

The first Google Doodle appeared in 1998 on the Google homepage, marking an early instance of the company using its logo to communicate with users. Created by Google co-founders Larry Page and Sergey Brin, the doodle was a simple modification of the Google logo that included a stick figure positioned behind the second “o.” This design referenced the Burning Man festival, an annual event held in Nevada, which both founders were attending at the time. The doodle served a practical purpose rather than a promotional one. By adding the Burning Man symbol to the logo, Page and Brin intended to signal to users that they were out of the office and might not be immediately available to address technical issues. At the time, Google was still in its early stages as a startup, and the homepage design remained minimal. This initial experiment laid the groundwork for what would become a long-running tradition. Over the years, Google Doodles evolved into more elaborate designs, often celebrating historical figures, events