Douglas Adams, 'Hitchhikers Guide To The Galaxy' Author, Honored In Google Doodle

by uInterviewMarch 11, 2013, 12:00 amNews >

The Google Doodle is honoring Douglas Adams today, on what would have been his 61st birthday.

Adams was a British humorist who was best known in the United States for his wildly successful The Hitchhiker’s Guide to the Galaxy novels. Originally developed as a radio comedy for the BBC in the late 70s, it launched into a five-book series, television show, computer game and a feature film starring Zooey Deschanel that came out in 2005. Adams also published a series of books with the protagonist Dirk Gently, and penned three episodes for Doctor Who.

The talented comedic science fiction writer also benefitted from musical ability, and an accompanying love of guitars – at the time of his death, he owned a total of 24 left-handed guitars. A longtime friend of David Gilmour and fan of Pink Floyd, he was invited to play with the band on his 42nd birthday at their concert at Earl’s Court in London. He worked his honed guitar skills on singles “Brain Damage” and “Eclipse.”

“Don’t Panic,” is the message behind the Google Doodle created in Adams’ honor. The animated and interactive doodle pays homage to the late writer with various references to his body of work, and the messages behind them. After “Don’t Panic” disappears, the guidebook goes on to outline a journey through the universe. Marvin, the Paranoid Android and of course a towel “the most massively useful thing an interstellar hitchhiker can have,” according to the famous series, also appear in the Google Doodle.