Google has announced that it has reached a major milestone with Google Earth. The software, either as a desktop client, mobile app, or plug-in has now been downloaded over one billion times since its launch in 2005. To celebrate, the company is encouraging viewers to read stories of how people around the world have used Google Earth to explore their world.
The origins of Google Earth date back to 2001, when a company known as Keyhole was founded. The company began to develop an app using geospatial technology. In 2004, the company was acquired by Google, and the next year Google Earth launched.