You probably look at its name every day, but do you know what Google means? If you've ever heard of the term googol, then you might be able to hazard a guess.
Googol is the mathematical expression for the number 1 followed by 100 zeros – and it's also the inspiration behind one of the world's most recognisable companies.
But the tech giant – and its famed search engine – used to be known by a completely different name.
The brainchild of Larry Page and Sergey Brin, who met at Stanford University back in the mid-90s, Google enjoyed humble beginnings before its meteoric rise to fame.
The pair, who met when Brin was assigned to show Page around the university, built what we now know as Google out of their dorm rooms.
So what did the genius students name their creation? Backrub – in reference to the 'back links' the search engine analysed.
Ahem. No, we're not lying. Yes, we're glad they changed it too. Fortunately, they soon came up with the name tech fans know and love today.
Given their mission 'to organise the world's information and make it universally accessible and useful', it was fitting to choose a name that played on a mathematical expression.
Unfortunately, one of the students involved in the brainstorming session misspelled 'googol', but the creators went along with it and so Google was born.
Ever since Google has built its reputation and it has come a long way. Back then, Google's initial server was made out of Lego. Now, it can be found in almost every dorm room and office across the world.
From Gmail to Google Search, the tech serves billions of people around the world – and you're likely one of them. But did you know what it means?
If not, then don't fear, as plenty of customers have faced similar dilemmas recently.
On the one hand, tea lovers were left gobsmacked after learning PG Tips was first called 'Pre-Gest-Tea'. Meanwhile, DIY fans were shocked to discover B&Q is named after its founders Richard Block and David Quayle.
Do you have a story to share? Email us at yourmirror@mirror.co.uk
