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.

Google’s Burning Man Festival Doodle from the official archive.
Image shown from its documented source.

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.