Good morning and Happy World Tennis Day! Today we're looking into the story of how Bluetooth got it's name. |
The Story |
We all rely on Bluetooth to connect our devices wirelessly, but have you ever wondered why it's called that? The answer takes us back over a thousand years, not to the world of tech, but to the realm of Vikings and kings! |
A King with a Toothy Nickname: |
Believe it or not, Bluetooth is named after King Harald "Bluetooth" Gormsson of Denmark and Norway. He ruled in the 10th century and earned his nickname, Blåtand (meaning "dark tooth" or "blue tooth" in Old Norse), due to a discolored tooth. |
From Viking King to Wireless Icon: |
Fast forward to 1996. A group of engineers, including Jim Kardach from Intel, were working on a new short-range wireless technology. They needed a codename and Kardach, inspired by a book about Vikings, suggested "Bluetooth." He saw a parallel between the king uniting various Scandinavian tribes and the technology's ability to unite different devices. |
A Code Name that Stuck: |
The name "Bluetooth" was originally intended as a temporary placeholder, but it proved to be catchy and memorable. It stuck around, even becoming the official brand name. The logo even incorporates a bind rune merging the king's initials in the Younger Futhark alphabet. |
I hope you have a fantastic week! |
