Why Google Did Not 'Doodle' Charlie Chaplin?

The world famous Hindu festival of Holi is not just marked by the vibrant colours... Christmas is not just about Santa Claus and the presents... Valentine's Day is not only about flowers or gifts. There is one vital ingredient that has been added to all these festivals and special occasions by Internet giant Google. Yes, the Google Doodle!

The Google Doodle has become an essential part of any celebration now.

According to Google, Doodles are known as the decorative changes that are made to the Google logo to celebrate holidays, anniversaries and the lives of famous artists and scientists. The Doodle, as we know, was born in 1998 when Google founders Larry Page and Sergey Brenin played with the corporate logo to indicate their attendance at the Burning Man festival in the Nevada desert. Since then users have anticipated the release of the doodles for every special occasion.

On 16 April, 2012, the world is celebrating the 123<sup>rd birthday of the comic legend, Charlie Chaplin. His movies are being talked about, his skills are being appreciated but one important thing is missing. Google did not launch a Charlie Chaplin birthday doodle this time.

What went wrong? Why didn't Google make a doodle this time? In 2011, as we remember, Google became innovative and tried a video doodle for the first time for the Chaplin birthday. The Telegraph described the 2011 Doodle as one in which Chaplin is approached by a policeman after he is spotted reading a Google newspaper on a park bench, engages with an artist painting a Google logo and then tries to blag his way into an event without paying the $1 admission. One of the methods he uses to try to get into the event involves him drawing his very own Google Doodle. After eventually deceiving the policeman into giving him money, he is able to skip up the road with his trademark cane.

Once the doodle is played, a page displaying the search results on Charlie Chaplin shows up. The other innovative Doodles were those of John Lennon's birthday where one of his songs were played and an interactive doodle for a Pac-Man game.

When one was expecting more innovativeness and novelty after seeing the video doodle of Charlie Chaplin in 2011, why did Google not put up one after all? Did the Doodle designers miss the birthday of the legendary comedian? Did they choose to keep mum on the topic? We wait for the answer.