1998 / Web post / Playful homepage signal
The First Google Doodle
Google’s tiny Burning Man stick figure turned a search homepage into an out-of-office joke.
The original is hosted off-site; this page provides context and a link to it.
What was this?
A tiny figure interrupted the familiar logo with a wink.
Why it spread
Every homepage visitor could see the gag, beginning a repeatable tradition.
What happened
A tiny figure interrupted the familiar logo with a wink.
Where it came from
Google’s first Doodle appeared in 1998 as a playful signal that its founders were at Burning Man.
Why it mattered
It is a small example of comedy built directly into a major web interface.
How it spread
Every homepage visitor could see the gag, beginning a repeatable tradition.


