Google really do it well. They understand that a clean (albeit in larger font now!) homepage is all you need. They also get that adding variety to a tried and tested formula adds that interesting element to the equation. Every now and again, and not too frequently so that it gets to the overdone stage, they do something to the Google logo to make you sit up and take notice. The students I teach are always keen to find out what the motivation is behind the doodles on the Google logo. It leads to interesting discussion and often a lesson in history as we work out what they are about.
Today’s logo is in honour of the 57th anniversary of the first patent on the bar code. It was invented by Norman Woodland and Bernard Silver and they were granted a patent on October 7, 1952. It caught my eye thanks to a tweet from David (DigMo on Twitter) who had gone to the trouble of scanning the barcode and reading it. Take a look below to see the outcome.
Just think how the invention of the bar code has impacted on our lives. Now there’s a good lesson for the kids we teach. Open the Google homepage in class today and let it lead an interesting discussion.
Lucacept - intercepting the Web 
Jenny, they certainly do it well. My students were also intrigued by the logo today and your right they often lead to an opportunity to teach them about something. Have you come across http://www.doodlesource.com/
Thanks for the link Jarrod. I’ll save that one and use it when we’re trying to source info about a new logo.
Wow, this is my first video ever to be embedded on another website. Thanks so much for this!!