Menlo Park, California – Susan Wojcicki’s garage holds a special place in tech history. It officially became the first office for Google. This happened back in 1998. Wojcicki owned the property on Santa Margarita Avenue then. She decided to rent her garage space to two Stanford students. These students were Larry Page and Sergey Brin.
(Garage legend: Susan Wojcicki’s garage becomes the first office)
The rental agreement was straightforward. Page and Brin paid Wojcicki $1,700 every month. This payment covered the garage space. It also included use of a washer and dryer. The garage was not fancy. It was a basic, functional space. This is where Google truly started its operations. The small team worked there. They developed the early search technology. Important early decisions were made within those walls.
Google quickly grew beyond the garage. The company incorporated formally in 1999. It moved its operations to a real office building in Palo Alto. The garage’s role was brief. Its impact was huge. It represents the humble beginnings of a global giant. The garage symbolizes the start-up spirit of Silicon Valley.
(Garage legend: Susan Wojcicki’s garage becomes the first office)
The garage gained legendary status over time. People recognize it as the birthplace of Google. The City of Menlo Park officially acknowledged its importance. They designated the site a historic landmark in 2018. A plaque now marks the location. It commemorates the garage’s unique role. This simple structure remains a powerful symbol. It shows where massive innovation can begin. Susan Wojcicki later joined Google herself. She became a key executive for many years. The garage story inspires entrepreneurs everywhere. It proves great things often start very small.
