5 Surprising Facts About Google That You Did Not Know

Google is, without a doubt, one of the most popular search engines that exist today. It has become a part of our daily life, and we depend on it for everything from finding the nearest grocery store to solving complex math problems. However, despite knowing a lot about Google, there are some interesting facts about it that most of us aren’t aware of. In this article, we will explore five surprising facts about Google that you did not know.

1. Noogler is not just another term for a new employee:

You may have heard the term “Noogler” before, and you likely assumed it was just another term for a rookie employee. However, “Noogler” is a nickname for new Google employees that was coined back in 1999. It stands for “New Googler,” and the term was created to welcome new employees to the company culture. The term has since evolved to refer to any new hire, even if they have prior experience in the tech industry.

2. Google is not the original name of the company:

Google is a popular name that we all know, but it wasn’t the original name of the search engine. When Larry Page and Sergey Brin first developed their search engine, they named it “Backrub.” The name Backrub referred to the way the search engine calculated the relevance of a webpage by counting the number of backlinks it had. Fortunately, Backrub didn’t last too long, and the two soon changed it to the now-familiar name Google.

3. Google could have been called “Whatbox”:

When Larry Page and Sergey Brin were looking for a name for their search engine, they considered several options. Among the options, “Whatbox” was one of them. In retrospect, it’s a good thing that “Whatbox” didn’t make the cut.

4. Google owns a company that is working on self-driving cars:

In 2009, Google started working on a project called Waymo, aimed at developing self-driving cars. The project was initially a part of the Google X lab, but in 2016, it was spun off as a separate company under the Alphabet umbrella. Waymo has been working on self-driving technology for more than a decade and has been testing a fleet of autonomous cars on public roads since 2009.

5. Google rents goats to mow its lawns:

Google is known for its quirky office culture, and renting goats to mow lawns is one of its many eccentricities. In 2009, Google started renting goats to maintain its sprawling parks and green areas. The goats provide an environmentally-friendly solution to weed control and reducing fire hazards, and they are also an enjoyable sight for employees who can watch them at work while taking breaks.

Conclusion:

These are just a few of the surprising facts about Google that you probably didn’t know. Google is a giant in the tech industry and continues to innovate and offer new services to its users. It’s evident that the company values its employees, the environment, and most importantly, its users. The next time you Google something, take a moment to appreciate the innovative company that has made all our lives incredibly convenient.