My Dad Invented Google
I showed up at a local Laser Tag place to pick up my son from a youth group outing. He was paling around with some boys a year younger than him. No one I knew. But they were excited to see me.
They came over to me, bowing, proclaiming: We’re not worthy!
“Did you invent Google?” one of them asked.
“No,” I said. I looked at my son. What sort of bull had he been feeding them?
My son took it completely in stride. “No, not Google,” he said. “Some other computer thing on the internet. What was it again?” He looked to me for details.
I had no idea what he wanted me to say. I’d worked for a handful of Silicon Valley companies. I tossed out the name of one.
“What about those plaques in the hallway?” he asked.
“My patents?” I said.
“Yeah!” He turned to the boys. “My dad has patents.”
We’re not worthy! they bowed.
True enough, I earned six patents during my day as an engineer. I proudly display them at home in hopes of inspiring my kids. They should know that even a nit-wit like their dad can do something of note. (And they have my genes, so I’m guessing they’ll be able to nit with the wittiest.)
I never figured those plaques would lead to bragging rights in the Laser Tag parking lot.
But hey, this is Silicon Valley. And if my son wants to brag about his old man, who am I to complain? Sort of like the old days when kids would say “I bet my dad can beat the crap out of your dad!”
I just hope my son never locks horns with some kid whose dad really did invent Google.
I’m not sure my patent plaques would hold up to an ass kicking like that.
Image from Wiki Commons, some rights reserved.
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Comment by Joker_SATX
| October 23rd, 2009
Man, that’s great! I bet your smile was ear to ear. Talk about a kid being proud of his Pop!
Good post….
Comment by BigLittleWolf
| October 23rd, 2009
That’s a lovely story, DM. Imagine all the other things they could have suggested that you invented!(Your kids really said “I bet my dad could beat the crap out of your dad” hmmm?? Not something they say about moms, on my planet.)
BigLittleWolf´s last blog ..Tattoos – hot or not?
Comment by Andrea
| October 23rd, 2009
That’s pretty funny. Especially considering my post today…about Google.
Andrea´s last blog ..Dear So and So: Google Reader Sucks
Comment by Senorita
| October 23rd, 2009
Hahaha !
Google ? Your son aims for the stars ! I was never that generous to my dad……
My dad has some patents too, so your son’s dad and my dad should get in a parking lot and duke it out !
Senorita´s last blog ..Sarah’s Key– Part Deux, If Walls Could Talk
Comment by T
| October 23rd, 2009
What an awesome story! Well, it is obvious that your son looks up to you. It sounds like you inspire him already!
T´s last blog ..Um…Apple… tree
Comment by Ditz
| October 23rd, 2009
David, both of the Google founders got married in 2007, I think you are safe for a while. Kudos on the patents and inspiring your son!
Comment by Vinomom
| October 23rd, 2009
Awesome story – I would be thrilled if my kid bragged about me for anything! The other day Lady H said her friend thought I was “nice” – I’ll settle for that! And pretty cool that you have patents.
Vinomom´s last blog ..Mother of the Year over here
Comment by meg
| October 23rd, 2009
That is an amazing story! He is proud of his dad :)
Comment by Mindy/Single Mom Says...
| October 23rd, 2009
Love it! Although it makes me wonder what my kids say about me. Hmmmm.
Mindy/Single Mom Says…´s last blog ..Exhausted
Comment by Ginger Magnolia
| October 23rd, 2009
That’s really cool! My sons’ friends think I’m cool because I wear Chuck Taylors. Which is something, I guess. Better than being the scary mom or something. :)
Ginger Magnolia´s last blog ..Ack!
Comment by Keith Wilcox
| October 24th, 2009
One time I told my friends that my dad was a helicopter pilot when he was in fact a computer salesman :-) Of course, I never got busted so it’s all good!
Keith Wilcox´s last blog ..Halloween: Save it from the Hippies!
Comment by izzat aziz
| October 25th, 2009
at least they bought it.. :D
why not just tell your son to create something huge like google, so that in future his son can do same thing.. :D
izzat aziz´s last blog ..Why I blog in English?
Comment by thewildmind
| October 25th, 2009
That was a great story! It is interesting to note how and what kids take note of…and how they take note of it.
As for LittleBigWolf’s comment…um…they do say that about moms over here on my planet…doh! :D
thewildmind´s last blog ..Goodbyes
Comment by Abby Carter
| October 25th, 2009
I think you should have said “Yes” about inventing Google…
Its fun messing with kids…
Abby Carter´s last blog ..My Serendipitous Road to Getting Published
Comment by Abby Carter
| October 25th, 2009
Full disclosure: My daughter’s friends think I look like Meagan Fox. Who am I to argue?
Abby Carter´s last blog ..My Serendipitous Road to Getting Published