In the late 1990s, two computer science students at Stanford University had an idea that would change the way we search for information on the internet. That idea was Google, and its founders - Larry Page and Sergey Brin - went on to become two of the most influential and successful entrepreneurs of our time.

From humble beginnings in a Stanford dorm room to a multi-billion dollar company that dominates the online world, here's the story of Larry Page and Sergey Brin.

The Early Days: A Chance Meeting at Stanford

Larry Page and Sergey Brin first met in 1995 when they were both studying computer science at Stanford University. Page was a graduate student, and Brin was considering pursuing a PhD. The two didn't hit it off right away, but they eventually became friends and started working together on a research project.

The project was focused on improving the way search engines worked. At the time, most search engines ranked websites based on how many times a keyword appeared on a page, which often led to irrelevant or spammy results. Page and Brin wanted to develop a more sophisticated algorithm that would analyze links between pages to determine their relevance.

The Birth of Google: From Dorm Room to World Domination

In 1998, Page and Brin launched Google as a search engine that used their new algorithm, which they called PageRank. The name "Google" was inspired by the term "googol," which refers to the number 1 followed by 100 zeroes. It was a fitting name for a search engine that aimed to organize and make sense of the vast amount of information on the internet.

At first, Google was just a small startup with a few employees and a rented garage for an office. But it quickly gained popularity for its fast and accurate search results, and by the end of the year, it was processing 10,000 search queries per day.

Over the next few years, Google continued to grow and expand. It introduced new services like Google Images and Google Maps, and eventually became a publicly traded company in 2004. Today, Google is one of the largest and most profitable companies in the world, with a market cap of over $1 trillion.

The Google Culture: From Don't Be Evil to Alphabet Soup

One of the hallmarks of Google's success is its unique and innovative culture. From the beginning, Page and Brin wanted to create a company that valued creativity, collaboration, and a commitment to making the world a better place.

They famously established the company motto "Don't Be Evil," which was meant to encourage employees to do the right thing, even when it wasn't easy or profitable. They also implemented a policy of "20% time," which allowed employees to spend one day a week working on their own passion projects.

In 2015, Page and Brin announced a major restructuring of the company, creating a new parent company called Alphabet. They stepped down from their roles as CEO and President, respectively, and handed the reins over to Sundar Pichai, who had been leading Google's product and engineering teams.

Despite this transition, Page and Brin continue to be influential figures in the tech industry. They remain major shareholders of Alphabet, and are involved in a variety of philanthropic and educational initiatives through their family foundation.

The Legacy of Larry Page and Sergey Brin: Changing the World, One Search at a Time

Larry Page and Sergey Brin's impact on the internet and the tech industry as a whole is undeniable. They revolutionized the way we search for information, and created a company that has changed the world in countless ways.

Hey there! I'm Chuck, the Editor-in-Chief at Local Threads. We’re on a mission to showcase founders of start-ups and help them shine and tell the world about themselves, their products, and their vision in life. We see value in the stories of big brands and their founders as well. Their success can be a source of inspiration to start-ups.