Burning Man festival participants gather at sunrise under the wood and neon structure that is the centerpiece of the event in the Black Rock Desert north of Gerlach, Nev., Monday, Aug. 26, 2002.

Long before Google Doodles became known for their playful celebrations of birthdays, holidays and cultural events — before Google was even an incorporated company itself! — the first Google Doodle was launched on Aug. 30, 1998, for a very simple reason: to tell users that its co-founders Larry Page and Sergey Brin were out of office.

Where could they be less than a week before their company officially........

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