HG Wells: The UFO Google logo mystery is solved – Christian Science Monitor
HG Wells: The mystery of the three UFO-inspired Google logos has been solved
(Google screen grab)
Photos (1 of 1)
By Chris Gaylord |
09.21.09
Who is H.G. Wells? That’s what many Googlers are asking after an elaborate three weeks of mysterious logos on the Google homepage. But the company lifted the veil early this morning, explaining the series of UFO-inspired doodles.
First came the Sept. 5 image of a UFO abducting the second O in Google’s name. The odd picture came with the cryptic Twitter tweet: 1.12.12 25.15.21.18 15 1.18.5 2.5.12.15.14.7 20.15 21.19. Each number stood for a corresponding letter (1 is A, 2 is B, etc.) All together the coded message comes out as “All your O are belong to us,” which Google acknowledged this morning was a reference to the infamously poor translation, “All your base are belong to us,” from the Japanese video game Zero Wing.
Last weekend brought the second UFO sighting on Google’s homepage. This time inspired by crop circles, the Google doodle showed a flying saucer sculpting the company’s name into an illustrated corn field. As we wrote last Monday, “to add to the mystery, Google posted the coordinates “51.327629, -0.5616088” in a cryptic Twitter tweet. Curious searchers identified the spot as Horsell, England. Sci-Fi aficionados may recognize the name. In ‘War of the Worlds,’ HG Wells wrote that Horsell residents witnessed the first UFO landing.”
Today’s close encounter came as a three-legged spaceship romping through a rural village that vaguely resembles the Google emblem. The company’s name is far more obscured than in the other two, but its meaning is finally clear.
“Now, we’re finally acknowledging the reason for the doodles with an official nod to Herbert George, who would be 143 years old today,” Google posted on its official blog shortly after midnight on Monday. “Inspiration for innovation in technology and design can come from lots of places; we wanted to celebrate H.G. Wells as an author who encouraged fantastical thinking about what is possible, on this planet and beyond. And maybe have some fun while we were doing it.”
H.G. Wells wrote several important works of early science fiction, most notably “War of the Worlds,” “The Time Machine,” and “The Invisible Man.” The British Author died in 1946.
This series was certainly one of the more involved Google doodles. Most of the company’s past tributes have been single-shot affairs. The suspense even had the Guardian hypothesizing that the stunt was “almost certainly a viral marketing campaign teasing people ahead of some launch in a week or two.” Maybe next time.
Readers, what do you think Google should riff on next? There are other important cultural birthdays coming up. Sufi poet Rumi would be 801 on Sept. 30. Musician John Lennon celebrated on Oct. 9. Painter Pablo Picasso’s 127th birthday hits October 25, but Google has already commemorated him.
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Google is Skynet, and other Internet conspiracies
Google is going to take over the world. Not really, but it’s fun to imagine. As the Internet behemoth lays claim to more and more territory – books, smart phones, voice mail, magazines, maps, electricity meters, we could go on – Google has long passed the critical mass needed to become the butt of many, many conspiracy theories.
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Comments
1.
Racy | 09.21.09
Well I just love this idea that Google has come up w/by putting distictive pics up on their site. Egdar Allen Poe would be the best canidate for the next ‘logo’. He has alot of poems that someone could get inspired and come up w/some hot logos. Keep it up Google!!
2.
R Decker | 09.21.09
If you have to ask the question “Who is HG Wells/” then its time for the coffin.
3.
Kathy Chaney | 09.21.09
I can’t wait to see the fun logos Google comes up with on holiday’s and for other events. Keep ‘em coming!!!
4.
TC in Florida | 09.21.09
It’s nice that Google can have a bit of fun with this.
Certainly quite a bit of thought went into it.
It’s sad however that Sept. 11 came and went without a hint of acknowledgement.
5.
kowetas | 09.21.09
I like the Idea that googel did this, it kept me guessing even though there were several therios out there, but this was my favourite. Nice to give the legend a wave to beyond the grave as it were and celebrate many great stories and ideas that came from the mind of this man 
7.
Robyn | 09.21.09
People are ASKING who’s H.G. Wells??? @ 41, I’m either now an old fart, or the generation under me is REALLY unedu-ma-cated… I & ain’t old! As for TC in Florida what did (s)he want Google to do– replace the OO’s w/ The Towers??? Sheesh. Get over it. (Not the event… no we can NEVER get over that, but the so-called issue “that Sept. 11 came and went without a hint of acknowledgment”. THEN WHAT THE HELL WAS WATCHING ON THE HISTORY CHANNEL ALL DAY? HUH? ANSWER ME!!!
Getting back to Google, I like how they change their logo every now & then. They EARNED their respect from me on August 29th of this year, when they changed the OO’s into Michael Jackson’s feet to celebrate his birthday even tho he had just past 2 months earlier. You know, I kept the jpg. Bravo Google!
8.
Tinky | 09.21.09
How’s about Terry Pratchet for a nod. Now THERE’s fertile ground. The man’s got early onset Altzheimers so, untill we find a way to reverse the damage, no more from his brilliant mind 
9.
thestone | 09.21.09
Why no Sept. 11 doodles? I enjoyed the UFO references though, and H.G. Wells was brilliant.
10.
Boca Raton Web Design | 09.21.09
Can’t wait to see the rest of the logo series. I’d love to see the new Google Doodles. Ok. but now seriously, Who the H*** is H.G. Wells?
11.
RWiebe | 09.21.09
I love how google does this. Google is my log on page and most mornings I can’t wait to see what’s on! I love learning about something unexpected. I think the idea of highlighting Rumi would be phenomenal! His work is known by many but the younger generation could really benefit from knowing more about him and his work.
12.
Jac | 09.21.09
If you don’t know who H.G. Wells is, go read a book (you know, those things that look like a stack of really thin Kindles).
I can understand why Google didn’t do anything about 9/11 — I can’t think of any funny doodle that they could have put online that wouldn’t have offended anyone.
Besides, as much as I agree that we should never forget 9/11 in that we should do everything we can to prevent it from happening again, I also think every time someone says “9/11″, some terrorist somewhere in hell laughs because they know they got exactly what they wanted from it: eternal attention…
13.
Perkdog | 09.21.09
Perhaps H.P. Lovecraft..but the first use of a Cthulhu would give it away pretty quickly.
14.
Jojo | 09.21.09
Nice!! Edgar Allen Poe is a great idea… always loved him.
And, please.. it IS strange to have not seen anything on 9/11, but i agree with Robyn, how were they even supposed to pull that off?? Tragedies are better off forgotten, i guess….
keep it up google =D
16.
MJF Fan | 09.21.09
How about some Back to the Future references? M.J.Fox and C.Lloyd deserve some Google-recognition. Or perhaps celebrate my birthday, or some other random dude who’s not really famous? I mean, if the whole world now has to now know who Kayne “the Jackass” West is, then I too deserve to be famous for all the stupid things I’ve done in my life. :^)
17.
Suzanne | 09.21.09
I love the Google doodles and look forward to them. Keep up the good work and the creative juices flowing. I now check Google every morning to see what you are up to….. John Lennon would be a great candidate.
19.
nmv | 09.21.09
On the September 11 comment… There is no chance for healing, ever, with this compulsive obsession over 9/11. Every year for 8 years we read the names of the deceased. We don’t do that with any other disaster. Don’t get me wrong, I honor the deceased and respect their families. But it is time to let the deceased go so they can move on too. Regarding Google… What kind of horrific artwork could Google make about 9/11 that wouldn’t be traumatic? Why traumatize others? Think.
20.
SueBee | 09.21.09
I love the way Google replaces there logo every so often. The flying saucer hint were brilliant leading up to Well’s Birthday.
22.
Kevin | 09.21.09
Even with my son in the military, its welcoming to take a break from the wave of media every September 11th. I believe anyone can pay their respects to the human losses of September 11th by their own means, I have mine as well. Please remember, the war started by the events of that day has been fought every minute of ever day since. Nine years and counting…
another note: if people know what google is then why dont people actually use it to find out who H.G. Wells is? Isnt that similar to posting and asking “How do I get on the internet” or “How do I post”…
23.
Simon Jones | 09.21.09
im going to take over the world with an army of genetically engineered cats! when i do, a cat will be on the logo of google! wouldnt that be awesome if they had cats on the logo? i think it would.
24.
Nick | 09.21.09
lol 9/11 isn’t a world-wide thing…
I’m sure they want to reach everyone in the world.
26.
Kath | 09.21.09
I really had no clue of why the different logos I just found out today when by mistake I clicked on the logo, but it is fun and I like it you should have a new one every day
27.
ktjoan | 09.21.09
Judging from the comments above, good candidates for the logo would be either Webster or Oxford… you know of the dictionary (and spelling) fame?
28.
Mark Shanks | 09.21.09
How about Ed Wood, Jr., the infamously bad director who gave us “Glen or Glenda” and the world’s worst, Plan Nine From Outer Space”? His birthday is October 10, and this would have been his 85th.
31.
Trevor | 09.21.09
They should pay tribute to Jim Henson. His birthday is this Thursday, Sept. 24th.
32.
Taeo | 09.21.09
Bla, Bla, Bla, about 9/11. We would all go crazy if we really KNEW who was behind it. It is very sad that the lives were taken in that way and my heart is heavy with new world order that spawned it. Get ready for the camps, I hope they have internet.
34.
mike | 09.21.09
Please consider riffing on the Bill Gates of the 19th Century: Andrew Carnegie. He indeed was a robber baron, but also in his later years established an extensive source of free information that allowed those in the lower class (of which he was one in his youth) to learn on their own, and thus help give rise to the greatest self-generated sociological change in a society in the history of Man.
35.
Stint Alemany | 09.21.09
i think that people should try and get over 9/11. I know people who have died and they don’t complain about 9/11 as much as some of you guys on here. but no if people always think about past pains they will only let it hurt them more. sorry for insulting those who had loved ones die on 9/11 or the war that came from 9/11. i think they should(if they don’t already) celebrate the birthdays of the Google Team.
36.
Donna Skinner | 09.21.09
Don’t forget that HG Wells was heavy into the population control movement….Eugenics. He married a woman who was also in Eugenics.
37.
Rosa Capacola | 09.21.09
I missed the tribute for “The Invisible Man,” did Google make the second “O” disappear that day?
What did they do for Sept. 19th, Talk Like a Pirate Day?
38.
Prof J Paul De Vierville | 09.21.09
Most all the observations and comments are on the mark.
They show insight with the curious, mysterious as well as intrigue with the Crop Circle phenomena.
But the GAME is not over!
So if you would be so kind, please take a FURTHER look at this summer 09 crop circle image that was “doodled” “doogled” or “goodeld” by pressing down living standing wheat in a formation of five lines of forms over 1000 feet long at Alto Barnes in Wiltshire, England this summer June 21/22 solstice and a week later.
http://www.cropcircleconnector.com/2009/milkhill3/milkhill2009c.html
What is being strung and sung in these impressive forms of lines, circles, curves, boxes and meanders?
Might this be coded communication and/or even message?
A language? A song? What?
Or just an grand artistic curiosity?
Regardless, certainly it is worth a SECOND look.
Where and who can help with possible deciphering and translations of this cosmic harp/egg/head lines of code?
Can any one offer a clue?
http://www.cropcircleconnector.com/2009/milkhill3/milkhill2009c.html
Please take a look at this first one; there are others.
The Game isn’t over!
This June/July summer I walked through this formation at five different times over a period of several weeks. Many detailed photos exist.
Do you think there is someone who can decipher this “Cosmic Harp/Egg/Head” formation from this 09 summer?
Can anyone please help find someone who can give it a SECOND “GO-OGLE”?
I know that H. G. Wells would appreciate this greatly, because the game didn’t really start until after the landings — and then is when the real fun (and war) began.
I would like to ask –well better yet and with all due respect, –challenge anyone to take a good, hard and deep look and concentrate, contemplate and make an attempt at translating what was set out in this 09 “Cosmic Egg/Head” formation, or whatever one wants to call it.
This was not a cartoon, but a massive piece of hard work in bent wheat that actually existed for several weeks in the field and was well documented by numerous photos.
Friends of mine from Norway were on the hill during the night watching for humans, but all they saw was one flash of light during the early morning hours.
Something Landed in the English fields and is trying to say or sing something in an unknown language — no doubt about it,
but what it is saying or singing — at this point in history — no one has a clue.
The Fun and Games are not over; they have just begun.
39.
Amanda Berry | 09.21.09
It’s a very tenuous link. H.G.Wells whilst he was a science fiction writer, never wrote about flying saucers, alien abduction or crop circles. I’ve read most of his books. So whilst the images could easily be connected with more recent science fiction e.g. something like the X-files, or Ufology generally. None of the illustrations actually specifically relate to the work of H.G.Wells. It’s a bit like celebrating the life of Christ with illustrations from the Quran. It’s an explanation which makes no sense I think it’s completely apocryphal.
40.
kowetas | 09.22.09
I like the Idea that googel did this, it kept me guessing even though there were several therios out there, but this was my favourite. Nice to give the legend a wave to beyond the grave as it were and celebrate many great stories and ideas that came from the mind of this man P.S. – Sorry, forgot to tell you great post!
41.
d | 09.22.09
Fortunately a friend cue me in to this article. Clicking on the google icon took me to iGoogle, not an easy explanation. Also, the last item looked like a sandbox. I had to blow up the screen to see the ’saucers.
But keep it up google.
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HG Wells: The UFO Google logo mystery is solved – Christian Science Monitor
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