With today's musical holiday doodle, Google is wrapping up 2011 with almost 50 U.S. homepage doodles. The search giant has honored musicians, actors, scientists, authors, astronauts, and more this year—some with elaborate, interactive imagery and others with simple drawings.
The doodles have proven so popular that Google recently opened up on online store via Zazzle.com that sells merchandise adorned with the doodle of your choice. Pick up a mug featuring Yuri Gagarin, the first man in space. How about a tote bag with the doodle for photography pioneer Louis Daguerre? Or a t-shirt celebrating Google's 13th birthday? Pick a logo and Google will afix it to the product of your choice—from $11 for a mug to $48 for a custom skateboard.
But what's the best doodle of them all? In addition to the various U.S. doodles, Google has also created homepage masterpieces for celebs, public figures, and holidays around the world. But here in the U.S., there were at least 10 that caught our eye, and those of our readers. Many of the most popular doodles this year included an interactive component, like the videos for Charlie Chaplin and Queen frontman Freddie Mercury. Childhood cartoons also featured prominently, like those from Roger Hargreaves and Richard Scarry to Jim Henson and Gumby creator Art Clokey.
We also tapped our inner dancer for a Martha Graham-themed doodle and cracked up once again in honor of Lucille Ball's 100th birthday. Not to be outdone, we also explored the oceans with Jules Verne and created our own mini masterpieces thanks to Les Paul.
Check out the slideshow below for a look back at some of our favorite Google doodles from 2011, and let us know your favorites in the comments below.