America's No. 1 financial conglomerate

On the first morning of November 1996, the sun in Mountain View seemed to be on a delayed play, reluctant to appear. The morning dew clung playfully to the blades of grass, bringing a touch of coolness to the city.

In the courtyard of Google's headquarters, the tense yet excited atmosphere was like boiling water, so intense it was almost bursting through the roof.

By this time, Google was no longer the unknown small team it had been when it was first established. After a period of continuous recruitment, the number of employees had reached 148.

These engineers were like a flock of eagles eyeing their prey, their eyes fixed intently on the computer screens, filled with anticipation and tension.

Larry Page, the head of the technical department, unconsciously tapped his fingers on the keyboard, conducting final checks.

Today is a pivotal day for everyone at Google, as Google Search, the culmination of their hard work over the past few years, is about to launch worldwide.

Countless days and nights of overtime work, how many people gave up holidays, canceled dates, and gave up entertainment, all waiting for this moment of test.

"Larry, are you sure all the steps are working?" Brin's voice trembled slightly, like a leaf swaying in the cold wind.

Although the technical department had conducted countless tests on the upcoming Google Search, the thought of it being available to internet users worldwide filled him with a wave of nervousness that made it difficult for him to remain calm.

Paige paused, took a deep breath, and her gaze became unusually firm.

"Sergey, we've done the best we can. I'm also very confident that Google can change the way people search for information, but while we're good at the technology, how the market reacts is beyond our control."

The meaning is simple: we dare to compete with the world in terms of technology, but how the market reacts is not something our technical department can control.

"We will succeed," a large hand patted Sergei on the shoulder, his words brimming with confidence.

"Ernst" turned his head and saw Sergei with a look of surprise and delight. "I thought you wouldn't make it."

After all, I'm still a student who hasn't fully left the ivory tower. Even though I have full confidence in Google, I'm still a little apprehensive. I don't know if Google can withstand the test of the market and win the favor of users.

Ernst was like their backbone. Although he didn't show up often, everyone felt reassured whenever he spoke.

Just now, Ernst's words seemed to have a magical power, and Sergei could almost see the storm that Google Search would unleash in the internet world.

"How could I miss Google's first day of trading? This is an event that will surely go down in history!"

"Believe me, all of you here will leave a significant mark on the internet world, achieve great success, become wealthy and envied by everyone, and live the life you desire."

"Really?" someone in the office asked with a serious expression. An American fat man whom Ernst had never seen before asked.

"My biggest wish is to have an endless supply of KFC meals for the rest of my life. Is that really possible?"

He pointed at the other person and made a little joke, "Oh, buddy, I think you could eat something better."

Even now, Ernst doesn't understand why so many Americans are so fond of fast food.

"But I think a hamburger is the perfect food, it has protein, vegetables and a staple food."

Ernst was speechless for a moment, unsure how to refute. In America, hamburgers are indeed one of the best foods.

Many Chinese people often say that hamburgers are junk food, but few people know that the World Health Organization has never labeled hamburgers as such.

An American-style KFC burger, which includes bread, sauce, pickles, a patty, and lettuce or tomato, contains only about 1000 kilojoules.

For a woman weighing 50 kilograms, calories only account for about 15% of her daily calorie needs.

The problem with fast food causing weight gain isn't the hamburgers themselves, but rather the accompanying fries, cola, and other side dishes.

If it weren't for the high salt and sugar content of the sauce, this could be considered one of the most balanced foods.

"Why do we need an endless supply of hamburgers? Don't we want to own some shares in KFC?"

Ernst was met with cheers and shouts throughout the room, which meant that Google would go public and Ernst would generously reward them with Google shares.

Whether it's true or not, everyone is full of anticipation, as if they can already see themselves counting money until their hands cramp.

After Ernst's efforts to ease the tension, the atmosphere dissipated considerably, much like a punctured balloon.

Time ticked by, and finally it was 10 a.m. Brin and Page exchanged a glance, took a deep breath, and simultaneously pressed the Enter key. Google Search officially launched on Netscape Navigator.

Although Google has its own website address, it still has to bow to reality.

To quickly promote your Google search results, you need to find a major platform to drive traffic to your site.

Google had limited funds and simply couldn't compete head-on with the deep-pocketed Netscape, IE, or the then-dominant Yahoo in the market. It could only compromise for the time being.

"I approached Yahoo before, intending to license our search technology to them for a million dollars a year. And guess what? Just as you analyzed, they refused outright, without even giving us a chance to negotiate."

Sergei and Ernst had already secretly discussed how to promote the Google search engine over the phone.

The idea of ​​leveraging large platforms for promotion is correct, but it's simply impossible to get Yahoo to use Google and optimize its search engine.

"Making money through technology is too slow. The number of internet users is growing exponentially, and all investors are very optimistic about this industry. Why bother with the painstaking process of improving technology? Just spend a lot on public relations and commissions to attract more investment and Yahoo can grow rapidly."

This is Yahoo's current mindset, and it's why Ernst is so certain that Yahoo won't use Google—because they've been blinded by the current model and don't value technology at all.

Which tech giants of later generations weren't primarily technology-driven? But the present era is different; there's too much capital and too few internet companies.

At that time, Yahoo was less a technology company and more a company that used its business model and content output to fleece consumers.

As long as you paint a rosy picture for the market, develop more features, and give the market enough room for imagination, crazy investors will flock to you like moths to a flame.

"So we eventually approached Netscape, who also valued our search engine very much."

"Of course, we also offended a tycoon because of this."

Ernst raised an eyebrow. "Are you scared?"

Sergey shrugged. "I'd be even more excited! If Microsoft went bankrupt, I'd treat the whole company to a lavish meal. Too bad, that's probably just wishful thinking."

In America, there is one man whose reputation stands in stark contrast to his reputation abroad: Bill Gates.

Bill, who is well-known abroad, is a philanthropist who has built toilets all over Africa and helped many people. He is also an old friend of the Chinese people.

However, in the hearts of the American people, Microsoft is the company that all technical personnel despise and look down upon the most.

What is Microsoft? It takes other people's software, copies it, bundles it into its own operating system, squeezes out its competitors, and then makes money through monopoly.

Does this sound familiar? Does it resemble a certain company?

When Netscape went public, it caused a huge uproar in the United States.

Microsoft had just won a lawsuit over operating system plagiarism and was feeling quite pleased with itself. Upon seeing Netscape, Bill Gates didn't hesitate, offering only one word.

It's a copy of TM.

Soon after, Microsoft launched its own browser.

Not only is the content plagiarized, but even the names are directly countered.

Netscape's full name is Netscape Navigator, while Microsoft's browser is called Web Explorer.

Of course, Chinese netizens are more familiar with its abbreviation.

Internet Explorer.

Thus began the first browser war in the history of the Internet.

How could the small and weak Netscape possibly be a match for the deep-pocketed Microsoft, especially given the latter's various disgusting tactics?

First of all, the operating system comes pre-installed with Internet Explorer, and not only that, you can't uninstall it. If you try to uninstall it by force, the operating system will crash.

Another requirement is that computer manufacturers such as HP must install Internet Explorer when installing Windows systems.

Furthermore, with Microsoft continuously expanding its browser division's technical staff, Netscape simply couldn't compete with Internet Explorer, which had the financial backing of its parent company.

Now that Google has come knocking, offering better search technology for a fee of only one million dollars a year, Netscape has no choice but to use it.

That million dollars can save millions in research and development and maintenance costs, making it absolutely worthwhile.