Being recognised as a Google Maps founder still garners a lot of respect from the Stem community – particularly in Australia, where Google Maps was born.
It all began in a spare bedroom in Sydney This weekend, Google Maps turns 20 – and Stephen Ma is writing himself and his friends back into its origin story.
“I’m actually surprised how similar it looks to what Google Maps looks like today,” says Ma, inspecting the screenshot for the first time in many years.
In the years since launching on 8 February 2005, Google Maps has wormed its way into our daily lives, becoming – like water or electricity – an essential service.
It also powers countless third-party platforms like Airbnb, Uber, real estate portals and food delivery and e-commerce platforms that rely on Google Maps’ locational and navigational prowess.
