by Veronica James

Created on: January 01, 2007   Last Updated: May 07, 2007

Have you ever searched Google?

Have you ever wondered how, at the touch of a button, you can find out how to remove a red wine stain from your carpet? where to find the best deals and book a hotel room anywhere in the world? how to send an electronic greetings card? what is the value of properties in any given area, from your own postcode to the other side of the world?

You ask the question, Google has the answer. But how?

In 1995, 2 students, Larry Page and Sergy Brin, met quite by accident. They quickly discovered that although they did not see eye to eye on many subjects, they found each others conversation and ideas fascinating. Their budding friendship thrived on arguments, but common ground and their ultimate challenge was eventually found when they decided to build a knowledge data base - originally called Back Rub, it was later to become Google.

Word quickly spread that Messrs. Page and Brin were working hard to perfect their Google technology, they purchased cheap disks by the boxful, and Google's first data centre was set up in Larry Page's dormitory room. In the latter half of 1998, Larry and Sergy had built enough confidence in their 'product' to approach potential investors. Their studies went on hold while they produced their business plan which they presented to various contacts, including Andy Bechtolsheim, a founder of Sun Microsystems. Mr. Bechtolsheim proved to be the answer to their prayers; he wrote them a check for $100,000.

Google.Inc started it's life on an old computer, sitting on a makeshift desk (a carpenter's bench and a plank of wood) located in a rented garage, it was here that the first employee was taken on board - Craig Silverstein, who later became Google's director of technology.

In 1999, Google.Inc became Google.com. Newly appointed employees were answering over 50,000 queries each day, it was rapidly gathering interest from the press and a few venture capital firms, and had secured investment funding of over $25 million. Having moved to a modest office, which was quickly outgrown, the company relocated to Googleplex, a two storey building in Mountain View, California now Google's HQ.

By the year 2000, Google was gathering awards at an astounding rate, enhancements were added to the system, wireless technology had been introduced and searches could be made in 10 languages. Google was fast moving into a global market and by mid 2000, with a billion page index; it had become the world's largest search engine.

Users of Google were enjoying the simplicity of keyword searches, businesses were using it to advertise and the decision had been made to join forces with Yahoo. By the end of 2000, the Company's reputation had reached China and Japan, and was answering 18 million queries each day.

During the next 5 years, Google launched new search after new search. Today we can shop on line, view pictures, listen to music, watch movies and so much more, all in a structured format that may have not had a web presence before. Research is never ending, technology continues to grow, and Google is still expanding.

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