The name Hertz is today familiar to practically everyone who's in contact with computer technology. The processors that power today's computers, smartphones and tablets all have their heartbeat expressed in hertz (Hz), or - more likely - megahertz or gigahertz.
Hertz is an SI unit of frequency which measures the number of cycles per second of a periodic phenomenon. German scientist Heinrich Rudolf Hertz, who was born on Feb 22 1857, was the first to prove the existence of electromagnetic waves, and the hertz unit was established in his honor in 1930, thirty six years after his death.
Interestingly enough, though he was the first to prove that electromagnetic waves can travel over distance, Hertz did not find a use for his discovery. Nevertheless, his experiments with electromagnetism paved the way for the invention of radio and television.
Google Doodle in Hertz' honor is one of the relatively rare animated doodles from the company. How do you think it compares with previous animated Google doodles?
Bonus: Here are the best Google Doodles of 2011: