Google Gravity Pool - Mr Doob

An interactive canvas where users can create, drag, and "shake" colorful balls. It serves as a more direct demonstration of the underlying physics code without the complexity of DOM-based search elements. Experiments with Google code snippet

The first result, as always, was the Mr. Doob experiment. He clicked.

He pushed his whole hand through, then his arm. The screen stretched like taffy around his shoulders. And with a final, silent plink , he fell headfirst into the Google Gravity Pool.

Although it's a simple, older project, the impact of Mr.doob's experiment is profound for several reasons: google gravity pool mr doob

When he opened his eyes, he was back in his bedroom. The monitor was normal. The Mr. Doob page was just a boring, static Google logo again. But on his desk, dripping wet and glowing faintly, was a tiny, perfect sphere of light.

To manipulate the Document Object Model (DOM) in real-time.

Today, the principles demonstrated in Google Gravity power everything from interactive web advertisements and indie browser games to complex data visualizations. It remains a foundational milestone in creative coding and a nostalgic reminder of a time when the internet felt a little more experimental, unpredictable, and fun. An interactive canvas where users can create, drag,

Mr. Doob's experiments, particularly Google Gravity, were not just fleeting internet memes; they had a genuine and lasting impact. At a time when the web was largely static, Google Gravity showed millions of people that a webpage didn't have to be a rigid document. It could be a dynamic, interactive environment where the user has real agency. The experiment was a pioneering force, demonstrating the creative power of technologies like HTML5, JavaScript, and WebGL, and inspiring a new wave of interactive web content and artistic expression.

Navigate to a trusted hosting site of the experiment, such as or Mr.doob's personal archive.

You can "shake" your browser window to watch the balls bounce wildly or drag individual balls to see them interact with others. Doob experiment

Ball Pool perfectly captures the essence of Mr. Doob's work: creating —a phrase that perfectly defines the spirit of his portfolio. Without a complex goal or scoring system, Ball Pool offers a pure, meditative experience. It’s a digital sandbox where the joy comes from the simple act of watching the physics unfold, clicking to drag a cluster of balls, or launching them across the screen with a flick. It highlights a crucial aspect of web experiments: sometimes, the most engaging applications are those without any purpose other than to be fun.

The magic of Google Gravity lies in its clever combination of web technologies. At its heart is the , an open-source 2D simulation library ported to JavaScript. Widely used in popular games like Angry Birds , Box2D handles the complex calculations of gravity, inertia, collisions, and bounces between objects in real time, allowing each element on the page to behave like a physical body. Mr. Doob uses HTML5 and JavaScript to dynamically detach the standard HTML elements from their original positions in the Document Object Model (DOM) and apply the physics simulation to them. The result is a fully interactive simulation where the user can grab, toss, and play with the interface.