Bluetooth technology is everywhere. From our headphones and smartphones to our cars and even our home appliances, this short-range wireless communication standard has become an indispensable part of modern life. You’re very likely using Bluetooth right now, perhaps streaming music to your earbuds or connecting your smartwatch to your phone. But have you ever stopped to wonder about the unusual name: Bluetooth? It sounds quite peculiar for a cutting-edge technology.
The story behind the name “Bluetooth” is far more intriguing than you might expect, reaching back centuries to the Viking Age and a Scandinavian king.
The Quest for a Universal Wireless Standard
To understand why “Bluetooth” was chosen, we need to rewind to 1996. At this time, several tech companies were independently developing their own short-range wireless communication technologies. While the goal of wireless connectivity was shared, each company was creating its own proprietary standard. This fragmented approach posed a significant problem. Imagine a world where different brands of wireless devices couldn’t communicate with each other – a chaotic scenario reminiscent of needing multiple power adapters when traveling internationally.
To avoid this potential tech dystopia, industry giants decided to collaborate and create a unified, open standard. In 1998, the Special Interest Group (SIG) was formed. Far from being a secretive organization, SIG was simply a consortium of companies dedicated to developing this shared wireless technology. The founding members included industry leaders like Ericsson, IBM, Toshiba, Intel, and Nokia, all working towards the common objective of seamless wireless communication. They had the technology in progress; what they needed next was a name.
From Viking King to Wireless Technology: The Bluetooth Connection
The name “Bluetooth” was proposed by Jim Kardach, an engineer at Intel. The inspiration struck him after a conversation over drinks with Sven Mattisson from Ericsson. Mattisson shared stories of Viking history, including the tale of Harald Gormsson, a Viking king who reigned over Denmark and Norway in the 10th century. King Harald’s nickname was “BlÃ¥tand,” which translates from Old Norse to “Bluetooth.” The precise reason for this nickname is debated, but it has endured through history.
What does a medieval Scandinavian king have to do with modern wireless technology? Kardach’s reasoning was surprisingly insightful: just as King Harald Bluetooth united the tribes of Denmark and Norway into a single kingdom, the Bluetooth technology aimed to unite disparate wireless communication protocols into one universal standard. To illustrate this concept, Kardach even created a memorable (and somewhat retro) 1990s-style PowerPoint slide, complete with bold colors and cartoonish graphics:
Image credit: Gizmodo
Initially, “Bluetooth” was intended as a temporary code name for the project, with plans to develop a more marketable name later. However, the name “Bluetooth” resonated with the SIG members. It was unique, memorable, and carried a symbolic meaning that perfectly captured the technology’s purpose. Ultimately, “Bluetooth” stuck, becoming the official name and a testament to a serendipitous historical connection.
The Bluetooth Logo: Runes and Royal Heritage
Even the Bluetooth logo has a historical link to Harald Bluetooth. It’s not just a random abstract symbol. The logo is a clever combination of two runes from the Younger Futhark alphabet, which was used by the Vikings. These runes are:
- áš¼ (Hagall): Representing the letter “H,” for Harald.
- á›’ (Bjarkan): Representing the letter “B,” for Bluetooth.
Overlaying these two runes creates the distinctive Bluetooth logo we recognize today. Seen against its characteristic blue background, the logo visually reinforces the historical roots of the technology’s name.
Names That Didn’t Make the Cut: Alternative Bluetooth Titles
While “Bluetooth” proved to be a perfect fit, several other names were considered and ultimately rejected during the naming process. These discarded names offer a glimpse into the different approaches and ideas circulating at the time:
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Biz-RF: Intel’s internal project name for their wireless technology program. It was deemed too generic and business-focused.
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MC Link: Short for “Multi-Communicator Link,” used by Ericsson for their development program. While descriptive, it lacked the catchy appeal of “Bluetooth.”
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Low Power-RF: Nokia’s initial program name, highlighting a key technical feature but not very memorable for a consumer-facing technology.
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PAN (Personal Area Networking): Proposed by IBM as an umbrella term. PAN was actually a strong contender and gained initial acceptance within the SIG. However, trademark searches revealed an overwhelming number of existing uses of “PAN” online, making it difficult to secure as a unique trademark.
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Radio Wire: Intel’s alternative umbrella term, losing out to “PAN” in a vote. When “PAN” was dropped due to trademark issues, “Radio Wire” wasn’t pursued further, leaving “Bluetooth” as the remaining backup.
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Flirt: A more playful name considered at one point, even with the tagline “Getting close, but not touching.” Ultimately, it was deemed too informal and lacked the gravitas desired for a major technology standard.
In the end, the slightly unconventional and historically rich name “Bluetooth” prevailed, proving that sometimes the most unexpected choices can be the most successful. It’s a name that not only stuck but also tells a story, connecting cutting-edge technology to a fascinating chapter of history.
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