Sunday, October 9, 2016

33 photos of Google's rise from a Stanford dorm room to world domination

33 photos of Google's rise from a Stanford dorm room to world domination

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young larry page sergey brinGoogle founders Larry Page and Sergey Brin.RANDI LYNN BEACH / AP Images
Google is a global superpower. 
Not only is Google the most-visited website in the world — it also makes Google Android, the most popular operating system in the world. 
And on the back of Google's incredibly profitable advertising business, its parent company Alphabet is worth $543.3 billion.
But it wasn't always that way.
Here's a look at the history of Google, from its roots in a pair of Stanford dorm rooms, to Larry Page and Sergey Brin's attempt to sell the company, all the way through the explosive announcement that Google was becoming Alphabet.

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Google got its start in 1996, when two Stanford PhD students named Sergey Brin (left) and Larry Page (right) had the idea for "BackRub," a revolutionary search engine that used a technology called "PageRank" that would rank web pages based on how many other web pages linked back to them.

Google got its start in 1996, when two Stanford PhD students named Sergey Brin (left) and Larry Page (right) had the idea for "BackRub," a revolutionary search engine that used a technology called "PageRank" that would rank web pages based on how many other web pages linked back to them.
Bloomberg Game Changers

Page and Brin's first office was actually their two Stanford dorm rooms. The "BackRub" name didn't last long, as they decided that a "googol," or the number one with a hundred zeroes after it, better reflected the amount of data they were trying to sift through. The slightly friendlier name "Google" was chosen for the fledgling company.

Page and Brin's first office was actually their two Stanford dorm rooms. The "BackRub" name didn't last long, as they decided that a "googol," or the number one with a hundred zeroes after it, better reflected the amount of data they were trying to sift through. The slightly friendlier name "Google" was chosen for the fledgling company.
Google

The first-ever Google server was built in a custom case made out of Legos and housed on the Stanford campus. At first, it was just at google.stanford.edu, but the Google.com domain name was registered on September 15th, 1997.

The first-ever Google server was built in a custom case made out of Legos and housed on the Stanford campus. At first, it was just at google.stanford.edu, but the Google.com domain name was registered on September 15th, 1997.
Wikimedia Commons

Eventually, Google drained too much of Stanford's bandwidth, and the IT department kicked them out. Page and Brin relocated the fledgling company in the garage of future Google employee and YouTube head Susan Wojcicki.

Eventually, Google drained too much of Stanford's bandwidth, and the IT department kicked them out. Page and Brin relocated the fledgling company in the garage of future Google employee and YouTube head Susan Wojcicki.
MARCIO JOSE SANCHEZ / AP Images

Around the same time they moved into the garage, Brin and Page got a crucial $100,000 seed investment from Sun Microsystems founder Andy Bechtolsheim. With funding in hand, Google officially incorporated in their garage headquarters on September 4th, 1998.

Around the same time they moved into the garage, Brin and Page got a crucial $100,000 seed investment from Sun Microsystems founder Andy Bechtolsheim. With funding in hand, Google officially incorporated in their garage headquarters on September 4th, 1998.
Wikimedia Commons

Google's first homepage was not much of a looker. Neither Page nor Brin had much expertise with the website programming language HTML, choosing to focus their efforts on the algorithms that made it run.

Google's first homepage was not much of a looker. Neither Page nor Brin had much expertise with the website programming language HTML, choosing to focus their efforts on the algorithms that made it run.
Google

At one point in 1999, Google was almost acquired by Excite, a leading search engine at the time. Excite would have acquired Google for $750,000 in cash, Excite's then CEO George Bell has said. But the the deal fell through for reasons that are still debated, and Google continued on its own.

At one point in 1999, Google was almost acquired by Excite, a leading search engine at the time. Excite would have acquired Google for $750,000 in cash, Excite's then CEO George Bell has said. But the the deal fell through for reasons that are still debated, and Google continued on its own.
OneWire

Page and Brin decided to make it a business, after all. In March of 1999, Google moved into its first-ever office at 165 University Avenue in Palo Alto — the same office building that housed companies like PayPal and Logitech.

Page and Brin decided to make it a business, after all. In March of 1999, Google moved into its first-ever office at 165 University Avenue in Palo Alto — the same office building that housed companies like PayPal and Logitech.
Google

Not long after, Google raised its first round of venture capital funding in the form of a $25 million investment from Kleiner Perkins Caufield and Byers and Sequoia Capital. That probably bought its developers a lot more beer.

Not long after, Google raised its first round of venture capital funding in the form of a $25 million investment from Kleiner Perkins Caufield and Byers and Sequoia Capital. That probably bought its developers a lot more beer.
Google

Google's star was definitely on the rise, and Brin and Page were becoming rock stars in the tech community for succeeding where everybody else failed.

Google's star was definitely on the rise, and Brin and Page were becoming rock stars in the tech community for succeeding where everybody else failed.
RANDI LYNN BEACH / AP Images

Around the time it started making money in 2000, Google adopted its famous, but unofficial, corporate philosophy: "Don’t be evil. We believe strongly that in the long term, we will be better served — as shareholders and in all other ways — by a company that does good things for the world even if we forgo some short term gains."

Around the time it started making money in 2000, Google adopted its famous, but unofficial, corporate philosophy: "Don’t be evil. We believe strongly that in the long term, we will be better served — as shareholders and in all other ways — by a company that does good things for the world even if we forgo some short term gains."
Tangi Bertin/Flickr

At investor Sequoia's urging, Brin and Page brought on Eric Schmidt as the company's first CEO in 2001, leaving the founders free to focus on Google's technology.

At investor Sequoia's urging, Brin and Page brought on Eric Schmidt as the company's first CEO in 2001, leaving the founders free to focus on Google's technology.
Mario Anzuoni/Reuters

By this point, the Google team was growing out of its Palo Alto offices. So in 2003, Google leased its now-famous Googleplex campus from ailing, old-school tech giant Silicon Graphics International. By 2006, Google was able to buy the Googleplex outright.

By this point, the Google team was growing out of its Palo Alto offices. So in 2003, Google leased its now-famous Googleplex campus from ailing, old-school tech giant Silicon Graphics International. By 2006, Google was able to buy the Googleplex outright.
Google

The Googleplex became a symbol of Silicon Valley success. Google worked hard to make it a little more whimsical than your average campus. The original main campus building is well-known for having a slide that connects the first two floors.

The Googleplex became a symbol of Silicon Valley success. Google worked hard to make it a little more whimsical than your average campus. The original main campus building is well-known for having a slide that connects the first two floors.
Reddit / SpaceCaseSixtyTen

Plus, Google was the first big tech company to offer free meals to its employees. The Google cafeteria became the stuff of Silicon Valley legend.

Plus, Google was the first big tech company to offer free meals to its employees. The Google cafeteria became the stuff of Silicon Valley legend.
Flickr/Dmitry Alekseenko

It also has a famous dinosaur statue often covered in flamingos. Google employee rumor holds that it's a reminder to its employees to not go extinct.

It also has a famous dinosaur statue often covered in flamingos. Google employee rumor holds that it's a reminder to its employees to not go extinct.
OpenBuildings

On August 19th, 2004, Google had its initial public offering on the stock market, priced at $85 per share. Today, a share in Google parent company Alphabet costs over $800.

On August 19th, 2004, Google had its initial public offering on the stock market, priced at $85 per share. Today, a share in Google parent company Alphabet costs over $800.
Getty Images

On April 1st, 2004, Google announced a private beta for Gmail, an e-mail service. Because it was on April Fool's Day, the media and users all thought it was a prank at first.

On April 1st, 2004, Google announced a private beta for Gmail, an e-mail service. Because it was on April Fool's Day, the media and users all thought it was a prank at first.
Biz Stone

In fact, after the IPO, Google set its sights on expanding past the search engine. Google started gobbling up startups to launch new products like Google Docs and Google Maps, which are still around today.

In fact, after the IPO, Google set its sights on expanding past the search engine. Google started gobbling up startups to launch new products like Google Docs and Google Maps, which are still around today.
Flickr / Sancho McCann

In 2005, Google bought a tiny startup that was making an operating system for digital cameras. It was called Android and was led by Andy Rubin.

In 2005, Google bought a tiny startup that was making an operating system for digital cameras. It was called Android and was led by Andy Rubin.
AP

2006 also saw Google buy up YouTube, a brand-new video-sharing site that was founded by a bunch of ex-PayPal employees. Google paid $1.65 billion in stock for YouTube.

2006 also saw Google buy up YouTube, a brand-new video-sharing site that was founded by a bunch of ex-PayPal employees. Google paid $1.65 billion in stock for YouTube.
YouTube

Google was getting bigger and bigger. In 2006, Google opened up its first wholly-owned and designed data center in The Dalles, Oregon, on the banks of the Columbia river.

Google was getting bigger and bigger. In 2006, Google opened up its first wholly-owned and designed data center in The Dalles, Oregon, on the banks of the Columbia river.
Google

Google has a history of squeezing out incredibly high levels of efficiency from its data centers with inventive new designs — a history that started at that first Oregon site.

Google has a history of squeezing out incredibly high levels of efficiency from its data centers with inventive new designs — a history that started at that first Oregon site.
Google

The year 2008 also saw Google introduce Google Chrome, a web browser that integrated tightly with Google's growing roster of web services. Google wanted to make sure that on every device, you keep using Google — and looking at Google ads.

The year 2008 also saw Google introduce Google Chrome, a web browser that integrated tightly with Google's growing roster of web services. Google wanted to make sure that on every device, you keep using Google — and looking at Google ads.
Google

In 2011, Schmidt stepped down as Google CEO, though he kept his title as executive chairman, and stuck around to advise Page and Brin. Larry Page became the new CEO of Google.

In 2011, Schmidt stepped down as Google CEO, though he kept his title as executive chairman, and stuck around to advise Page and Brin. Larry Page became the new CEO of Google.
Flickr / loiclemur

With its dominance in search all but locked down, the last few years have seen Page's Google focus on some crazy, next-generation ideas. In 2010, Google announced that it was working on driverless cars that didn't require a human to operate.

With its dominance in search all but locked down, the last few years have seen Page's Google focus on some crazy, next-generation ideas. In 2010, Google announced that it was working on driverless cars that didn't require a human to operate.
Google

In 2012, Google announced Google Glass, a wearable computer that would present information in your field of vision. It didn't catch on the way people hoped, but it made an impact on the world.

In 2012, Google announced Google Glass, a wearable computer that would present information in your field of vision. It didn't catch on the way people hoped, but it made an impact on the world.
Justin Sullivan/Getty Images

In fact, Google operates secret labs that are working on all kinds of nifty projects. This contact lens can measure the glucose level in the blood of diabetics.

In fact, Google operates secret labs that are working on all kinds of nifty projects. This contact lens can measure the glucose level in the blood of diabetics.
Google

Much more recently, Google shocked the world by completely shaking up its corporate structure. Brin, Page, and Schmidt turned Google into a wholly-owned subsidiary of Alphabet, a new parent company. Larry Page became the CEO of Alphabet.

Much more recently, Google shocked the world by completely shaking up its corporate structure. Brin, Page, and Schmidt turned Google into a wholly-owned subsidiary of Alphabet, a new parent company. Larry Page became the CEO of Alphabet.
AP Photo/Seth Wenig

This leaves former Google Chrome head Sundar Pichai in charge of the whole company, guiding the future of the newly-formed Alphabet's most important and profitable businesses. Under Pichai, Google has made big moves into artificial intelligence. And the rest, as they say, is history.

This leaves former Google Chrome head Sundar Pichai in charge of the whole company, guiding the future of the newly-formed Alphabet's most important and profitable businesses. Under Pichai, Google has made big moves into artificial intelligence. And the rest, as they say, is history.
Justin Sullivan/Getty Images
More: Features Google Larry Page Sergey Brin
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There's a tower in China that eats smog — and 800 more might be coming

There's a tower in China that eats smog — and 800 more might be coming

CityLab
  • Oct. 8, 2016, 9:24 PM
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Smog Free Tower Daan RoosegaardeDutch artist and innovator Daan Roosegaarde poses in front of the Smog Free Tower, the world's largest smog vacuum cleaner as he presents his The Smog Free Project at D-751 art zone in Beijing September 29, 2016. Reuters/Damir Sagol
Air quality is so poor in Beijing that on bad days it’s hard to see buildings across the street. Strategies to live more safely in such an environment abound, and no wonder: The journal Nature recently found that air pollution leads to the premature death of three million people every year, mainly in Asia.  
In addition to pervasive face masks, kids in the capital’s international schools play sports under protective domes. A British artist based in Beijing created a wacky-looking “breathing bicycle,” which filters air as the rider pedals, delivering it through a tube that snakes up to a breathing mask.
One of the latest in this array of pollution problem solvers is a tower that takes in smog and releases clean air. Last week, the Dutch designer Daan Roosegaarde debuted his “Smog Free Tower” in Beijing’s 798 arts district, a former industrial zone. Set among old smokestacks, the metal tower reaches 23 feet and looks like what it is: an enormous version of a home air purifier.
The tower works by sending positive ions into the air, which attach to fine particles, including PM 2.5, the particulate matter that is especially hazardousto our health. A negatively charged surface (called a counter electrode) then brings the ions and their attached particles back in to the tower, where they are collected and stored. The tower subsequently spews out cleaner air through vents. (Roosegaarde uses the collected particles to make “Smog Free Jewelry” in the form of rings and cufflinks.)
Roosegaarde told Motherboard that the air surrounding the tower has up to 70 percent fewer pollution particles after it’s been cleaned. And since installing the tower in Beijing, he reported to CNN that it collects in one day what it brought in over the course of two weeks of testing in the Netherlands.
The Chinese Ministry of Environmental Protection is supporting Roosegaarde’s venture, and has asked him to take the tower on a tour of four other cities in the coming year. Roosegaarde hopes that this is only the beginning. He aims to install 800 of his towers in public parks across China, not only to create pockets of cleaner air, but to bring more awareness to what is admittedly a huge problem that a giant air purifier—or even 800 of them—can’t begin to solve.
“We need a bottom-up effort, both with citizens and governments actively working for change,” Roosegaarde told CNN. “My hope is that one day in 10 or 15 years, we’ll look back at [the tower] and find it obsolete.”
Read the original article on CityLab. Copyright 2016. Follow CityLab on Twitter.

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The 19 countries with the best reputation in the world

The 19 countries with the best reputation in the world

  • Aug. 12, 2016, 5:35 AM
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London Streetview Big BenThe UK came high on the list, but it is unclear how the Brexit will affect its future reputation.Google Street View
The 19 countries with the highest reputation have been announced by the Reputation Institute in its annual Country RepTrak index.
Rankings are based on numerous key drivers, including the quality of exports, contribution to global culture, standard of living, general tolerance, beauty, and safety.
Europe dominates the list, especially smaller countries that balance strong economies with high quality of life. In fact, being a large country seems to hamper reputation, with the US, China, Russia, and India all missing out.
Keep scrolling to see the countries with the highest reputation:

View As: One Page Slides


19. Portugal — 66.53. Portugal was hit extremely hard by the 2008 financial crisis, with the government enacting severe austerity to much public outcry. But its reputation with tourists remains as strong as ever, and it has progressive drug-decriminalisation policies.

19. Portugal — 66.53. Portugal was hit extremely hard by the 2008 financial crisis, with the government enacting severe austerity to much public outcry. But its reputation with tourists remains as strong as ever, and it has progressive drug-decriminalisation policies.
alxpin / Getty images

18. Germany — 67.55. It is perhaps a surprise that Germany, which has one of the strongest economies in the world and a reputation for making excellent products, did not come higher. If Frankfurt can tempt some of London's banks over after the Brexit vote, it might do better next time.

18. Germany — 67.55. It is perhaps a surprise that Germany, which has one of the strongest economies in the world and a reputation for making excellent products, did not come higher. If Frankfurt can tempt some of London's banks over after the Brexit vote, it might do better next time.
Sean Pavone / Getty Images

17. Spain — 67.73. Like Portugal, Spain was hit harder than most by the recent economic downturn, with high levels of youth unemployment. But tourists still can't get enough of the place, especially Brits looking to live near the southern coast when they retire.

17. Spain — 67.73. Like Portugal, Spain was hit harder than most by the recent economic downturn, with high levels of youth unemployment. But tourists still can't get enough of the place, especially Brits looking to live near the southern coast when they retire.
Sean Pavone/Shutterstock

16. Belgium — 67.95. For a population of just 11 million, Belgium has an outsize global reputation. Brussels is the headquarters for the European Union, the country's national football team is ranked second, and the nation's beer is the best of the best.

16. Belgium — 67.95. For a population of just 11 million, Belgium has an outsize global reputation. Brussels is the headquarters for the European Union, the country's national football team is ranked second, and the nation's beer is the best of the best.
vichie81 / Getty Images

14. Japan — 70.97. No, this isn't Paris at night — it's Tokyo. Japan's reputation for making innovative, high-end electronics has remained intact since the 1980s, and along with Hong Kong the country is a favourite for anyone looking to explore the Far East, including businesses.

14. Japan — 70.97. No, this isn't Paris at night — it's Tokyo. Japan's reputation for making innovative, high-end electronics has remained intact since the 1980s, and along with Hong Kong the country is a favourite for anyone looking to explore the Far East, including businesses.
Getty Images

13. UK — 71.08. It's anyone's guess what effect the Brexit will have on the UK's reputation in the next few years. But even without London's finance centre the country's sense of history is still popular with tourists, and low corruption means its law services are used by clients around the globe.

13. UK — 71.08. It's anyone's guess what effect the Brexit will have on the UK's reputation in the next few years. But even without London's finance centre the country's sense of history is still popular with tourists, and low corruption means its law services are used by clients around the globe.
Big changes in the City?Oli Scarff/Getty Images

12. Italy — 71.68. Italy's banking sector is going through its own crisis that some say threatens the whole eurozone, but its high-quality exports and tourist destinations mean it's high on the Reputation Institute's list for now.

12. Italy — 71.68. Italy's banking sector is going through its own crisis that some say threatens the whole eurozone, but its high-quality exports and tourist destinations mean it's high on the Reputation Institute's list for now.
Luciano Mortula/Shutterstock

11. Austria — 72.44. Austria was once the cultural capital of Europe, and it still packs a punch. The country has one of the highest qualities of life in the world, and, like its German neighbour, its quality exports are in high demand.

11. Austria — 72.44. Austria was once the cultural capital of Europe, and it still packs a punch. The country has one of the highest qualities of life in the world, and, like its German neighbour, its quality exports are in high demand.
Alex Poison/Shutterstock

10. Netherlands — 73.90. The Netherlands is known for its high tolerance and tourist-friendly culture, while Rotterdam is one of the biggest shipping ports in the world, acting as a trading hub between Europe and the rest of the globe.

10. Netherlands — 73.90. The Netherlands is known for its high tolerance and tourist-friendly culture, while Rotterdam is one of the biggest shipping ports in the world, acting as a trading hub between Europe and the rest of the globe.
kavalenkava volha/Shutterstock

9. Ireland — 74.1. Ireland's economy has exploded 26% in the past year as the country attracts outside investment, both tech and financial, like never before. This could ramp up even further as worried Brits look to move there before their own country leaves the EU.

9. Ireland — 74.1. Ireland's economy has exploded 26% in the past year as the country attracts outside investment, both tech and financial, like never before. This could ramp up even further as worried Brits look to move there before their own country leaves the EU.
Tilman Ehrcke/Shutterstock

7. New Zealand — 74.68. "The youngest country on earth," as its tourist board calls it, New Zealand is both business and tourist-friendly. Auckland is enjoying a construction boom, and backpackers appreciate the remarkably low crime rates.

7. New Zealand — 74.68. "The youngest country on earth," as its tourist board calls it, New Zealand is both business and tourist-friendly. Auckland is enjoying a construction boom, and backpackers appreciate the remarkably low crime rates.
FLICKR/Loïc Lagarde

6. Finland — 75.16. Finland is the only Nordic country with full EU membership, and it seems to have paid off. It has one of the highest standards of life in the world, its manufacture exports are in great shape, and tourists love visiting Helsinki.

6. Finland — 75.16. Finland is the only Nordic country with full EU membership, and it seems to have paid off. It has one of the highest standards of life in the world, its manufacture exports are in great shape, and tourists love visiting Helsinki.
scanrail / Getty Images

5. Norway — 76.18. When the UK negotiates its Brexit, there's a lot of talk about it following the "Norway model," which allows for a degree of access to the single market without voting rights. It seems to work very well for Noway — the country is an export powerhouse thanks to large natural resources and a popular tourist destination in its own right.

5. Norway — 76.18. When the UK negotiates its Brexit, there's a lot of talk about it following the "Norway model," which allows for a degree of access to the single market without voting rights. It seems to work very well for Noway — the country is an export powerhouse thanks to large natural resources and a popular tourist destination in its own right.
Jørn Eriksson, Flickr

4. Australia — 76.84. It seems as if everyone wants to move to Australia right now, and with a great economy and desirable climate it is not surprising. Mining is one of the country's biggest sectors, but Sydney is also enjoying a tech boom, while tourism in the country is second to none.

4. Australia — 76.84. It seems as if everyone wants to move to Australia right now, and with a great economy and desirable climate it is not surprising. Mining is one of the country's biggest sectors, but Sydney is also enjoying a tech boom, while tourism in the country is second to none.
Getty Images

3. Switzerland — 77.00. Switzerland stands on its own at the heart of Europe despite not being a member of the EU. It is known for its banks and high standard of living, and skiing in the Alps attracts people from all over.

3. Switzerland — 77.00. Switzerland stands on its own at the heart of Europe despite not being a member of the EU. It is known for its banks and high standard of living, and skiing in the Alps attracts people from all over.
AleksandarGeorgiev / Getty Images

2. Canada — 77.82. Canada is high on the list of countries people would love to immigrate to. With a tolerant culture, a strong economy, and high levels of healthcare it is no wonder.

2. Canada — 77.82. Canada is high on the list of countries people would love to immigrate to. With a tolerant culture, a strong economy, and high levels of healthcare it is no wonder.
Inga Locmele/Shutterstock

1. Sweden — 78.34. Sweden has it all: high-quality exports, a tolerant society, low crime, beautiful cities to visit, a high standard of living, a mild climate, and a strong sense of business. It could well top the list for years to come.

1. Sweden — 78.34. Sweden has it all: high-quality exports, a tolerant society, low crime, beautiful cities to visit, a high standard of living, a mild climate, and a strong sense of business. It could well top the list for years to come.
Oleksiy Mark/Shutterstock
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