A Blast from the Past: The 1998 Logo Returns
When you typed a query on September 27, 2025, the familiar search bar was framed by a simple, multi‑colored wordmark that looked straight out of the late‑1990s. That was no accident – Google rolled out a special Google doodle that swapped the sleek, rounded font we know today for the original 1998 logo. The design was a direct nod to the day Larry Page and Sergey Brin first made the search engine publicly visible from a cramped garage in Menlo Park.
The vintage logo, created by Brazilian graphic designer Ruth Kedar, featured a serif typeface with primary colors splashed across the letters. It reminded longtime users of a time when the internet was still a novelty and Google’s mission was to "organize the world’s information and make it universally accessible." The doodle’s description on the homepage read, "Getting nostalgic with our first‑ever logo – search on."
Beyond the visual treat, Google used the occasion to explain the quirky origin of its name. The term "googol" – a 1 followed by 100 zeros – was mis‑typed as "Google" during a brainstorming session, a typo that perfectly captured the company’s ambition to handle massive amounts of data.
What the Celebration Says About Google’s Future
While the doodle celebrated a humble past, the page also featured banners advertising steep discounts on Pixel phones, Nest hubs, and accessories, especially for U.S. shoppers. The limited‑time offers were a clear signal that Google still leverages milestone moments to drive hardware sales and keep its ecosystem sticky.
Embedded in the same splash page were prompts encouraging users to try out the latest AI features across Search, Bard, and Workspace. Google framed the juxtaposition of old and new as a "bridge to the future," inviting people to explore generative AI tools while remembering the company’s roots.
Industry analysts noted that the doodle served a dual purpose: a nostalgic marketing hook and a subtle reminder that Google’s brand equity still rests on its original promise. By resurfacing the 1998 logo, the tech giant reminded billions that its dominance began with a simple idea, not the endless suite of products it now offers.
Reactions on social media ranged from fond reminiscences about dial‑up days to jokes about the clunky font. Even rival tech blogs praised the move, calling it "a clever blend of heritage marketing and forward‑thinking product pushes."
- Pixel 7a and Pixel Watch discounted up to 20% for a week.
- Free three‑month trial of Google One storage with any hardware purchase.
- Exclusive AI‑powered photo editing tutorials bundled with Nest Hub.
Ruth Kedar, who left Google’s design team a decade ago, posted a brief thank‑you note on her personal blog, expressing pride in seeing her work still resonate after more than two decades. Her contribution, she said, was "a reminder that good design endures even as technology races ahead."
Google’s birthday isn’t officially tied to its incorporation date of September 4; the company has chosen September 27 for the public celebration since the early 2000s, aligning the day with key search milestones. This year’s choice to spotlight the original logo underscores a broader trend among tech giants: mining their early history for authentic storytelling as they navigate the pressures of regulation, competition, and rapid AI advancement.
Even as the doodle faded after 24 hours, the underlying message lingered: Google remains a digital cornerstone for billions, constantly reshaping how we find, create, and share information. The nostalgic visual may have been a flashback, but the push toward AI‑driven experiences points to the next chapter in the company’s evolving saga.