Did you know...?

You probably use Google every day. But how much do you really know about it? Sure, it’s your go-to for everything from “how to cook pasta” to “is my cat judging me?” — but this tech giant has a wild and weird backstory.

Let’s dive into some random, hilarious, and surprising facts about Google that’ll make you see it a little differently.

1. Before Google, There Was... BackRub?

Yep. That was actually the original name. Sounds a bit more like a massage app, right? Larry Page and Sergey Brin started it back in 1996, and the name came from how the system ranked web pages — by analyzing their backlinks. Thankfully, someone eventually said, “Hey, maybe let’s not call our billion-dollar company 'BackRub'.”

2. "Google" Was a Typo... Sort Of

The name we know today is a play on the word "googol" — that’s a 1 followed by 100 zeros. They picked it to reflect their mission to organize a ridiculously huge amount of information. Fun fact: when they tried to register the domain, they accidentally spelled it "Google" — and just rolled with it.

3. From Garage to Global Empire

Google’s first office? A random rented garage in Menlo Park, California. It belonged to Susan Wojcicki, who later became the CEO of YouTube. Yep, Google literally started in someone’s spare space next to a lawn mower.

4. Doodle That!

Ever notice the fun artwork on the Google homepage? Those are called Google Doodles, and they celebrate holidays, famous people, events, or just random fun stuff. The first one ever was in 1998, and it marked the founders' trip to the Burning Man festival. Basically, it was their “out of office” sign.

5. T-Rex Game: Chrome's Tiny Dino Hero

No Wi-Fi? No problem. If you’ve ever seen that little pixelated T-Rex pop up when your internet goes down — congrats, you’ve met Chrome’s built-in game. Just hit the space bar, and boom: you’re running through the desert, dodging cacti and pretending your Wi-Fi isn't broken.

6. Google Wants to Go to the Moon

Yes, seriously. Google partnered with the X Prize Foundation and launched a $30 million Lunar XPrize, challenging private companies to land a robot on the Moon. Why? Because organizing Earth’s data wasn’t enough — now they want the Moon’s too.

7. Street View... and Polar Bears?

Google’s Street View isn’t just for checking out your ex’s new house or virtually walking around Tokyo. The cars (and sometimes backpacks and snowmobiles) have captured all sorts of weird stuff — polar bears in Canada, the Northern Lights, even a guy in a horse mask waving at the camera.

8. Under the Sea with Google Earth

Bet you didn’t know Google Earth lets you explore underwater too. You can check out coral reefs, shipwrecks, and all kinds of marine life. It's like scuba diving, minus the wetsuit and panic about sharks.

9. Google Lens: Basically a Pocket Genius

Google Lens is a tool on your phone that looks at stuff and tells you what it is. Point it at a flower? It tells you the name. Point it at a dog? Breed detected. It can even translate street signs in real time, which is super handy when you’re hopelessly lost in a foreign city trying to find coffee.

10. Google + Art = Weird and Wonderful

Google doesn’t just do tech — it also dabbles in creativity. Through its Magenta project, AI can compose music and make art. Dreamlike landscapes, trippy photos, even eerie classical piano — made by machines. Spooky? A little. Cool? Totally.

11. Bonus Weirdness: Easter Eggs Everywhere

Try searching “do a barrel roll.” Go ahead, we’ll wait. Or type “askew.” Google is full of hidden tricks and jokes that make it feel a little less like a corporate robot overlord and a little more like that nerdy friend who’s always one pun away from a bad dad joke.

So What’s the Deal With Google?

At the end of the day, Google isn’t just a search engine. It’s a playground for engineers, artists, and dreamers — and yes, the occasional dinosaur runner. From garage startup to lunar ambitions, it's got a pretty wild backstory for something you probably use without thinking.

Next time you type something into that little search bar, just remember: you’re using the evolution of something that was almost called BackRub.

Talk about a glow-up.