Larry Page

Definition

Larry Page is an American computer scientist and co-founder of Google, a company that revolutionized how information is organized and accessed on the internet. His innovative ideas and technical expertise were pivotal in developing the Google search engine and advancing web technology, particularly during the period of the dot-com bubble when many tech companies were emerging and seeking to capitalize on the internet's potential.

5 Must Know Facts For Your Next Test

1. Larry Page, born on March 26, 1973, in East Lansing, Michigan, was influenced by his parents who were both computer science professors.
2. He developed the concept of PageRank, an algorithm that ranks web pages based on their importance, which was integral to Google's search functionality.
3. In 1998, Larry Page and Sergey Brin founded Google while they were PhD students at Stanford University, which quickly became the leading search engine.
4. The dot-com bubble saw Google's valuation grow rapidly as investors poured money into internet startups, even though many were not profitable.
5. Page has held various leadership roles at Google and its parent company Alphabet Inc., advocating for innovation and technological advancements.

Review Questions

• How did Larry Page's educational background influence his development of Google's search engine?
  • Larry Page's education in computer science at Stanford University was instrumental in his development of Google's search engine. His academic environment fostered innovative thinking and collaboration with Sergey Brin, leading to the creation of the PageRank algorithm. This algorithm was essential for sorting through vast amounts of web data effectively and laid the foundation for Google's success during the dot-com bubble.
• Evaluate the impact of Larry Page's leadership on Google's growth during the dot-com bubble era.
  • Larry Page's leadership was crucial during the dot-com bubble as he guided Google through a period of rapid growth and innovation. Under his direction, Google developed unique products that stood out among competitors. His vision not only attracted significant investment but also shaped the company's strategic decisions, helping it to capitalize on the explosive demand for internet services at that time.
• Assess how Larry Page's innovations contributed to changes in internet business models during the dot-com bubble.
  • Larry Page's innovations significantly transformed internet business models by introducing a more efficient way to navigate online information through Google. His focus on user experience and data-driven results helped set new standards for online services. This shift encouraged other tech companies to rethink their approaches to customer engagement and advertising, influencing the broader landscape of internet commerce amid the speculative frenzy of the dot-com bubble.

Related terms

Google: A multinational technology company that specializes in Internet-related services and products, including a search engine, online advertising technologies, cloud computing, and software.

Sergey Brin: An American computer scientist and co-founder of Google alongside Larry Page, he played a crucial role in developing the company's technology and vision.

Dot-com Bubble: A period of excessive speculation in the late 1990s and early 2000s during which the stock prices of many internet-based companies soared dramatically before ultimately crashing.