Have you ever paused to consider the somewhat unusual name of the wireless technology that has become such an integral part of our daily lives? Bluetooth. It’s a name that might sound more at home in a history book than on your smartphone. You’re likely using Bluetooth right now – perhaps through your wireless earbuds or connecting your phone to your car. But where exactly did this distinctive moniker come from? The answer is more intriguing than you might expect, reaching back centuries to the age of Vikings and a Scandinavian king.
Alt text: A man wearing Jabra Bluetooth earbuds, highlighting the common use of Bluetooth technology for wireless audio.
Bluetooth technology has revolutionized short-range wireless communication, becoming the ubiquitous standard for connecting devices seamlessly. It’s hard to imagine a world without it. Yet, the story behind its name is a fascinating journey through technology history and Viking lore.
The Problem of Wireless Standards
To understand how Bluetooth got its name, we need to rewind to the mid-1990s. Imagine a scenario where multiple tech companies are all striving towards the same goal: creating a groundbreaking wireless technology. Sounds collaborative, right? In reality, it was a recipe for potential chaos.
Back in 1996, numerous companies were independently developing their own versions of short-range wireless communication. Each firm was promoting its proprietary standard, creating the risk of a fragmented and incompatible wireless landscape. Think about the frustration of needing different chargers for every electronic device when traveling – that’s the kind of interoperability nightmare the tech industry was facing with wireless communication. To avert this technological dystopia, major players recognized the urgent need for a unified standard.
The Birth of SIG
In 1998, a pivotal moment occurred: key industry leaders decided to join forces. They formed the Special Interest Group (SIG), an alliance dedicated to developing a single, universal wireless communication standard. Despite its somewhat clandestine-sounding name, the SIG was essentially a collaborative club of companies working towards a shared technological future.
The founding members of the SIG were industry giants: Ericsson, IBM, Toshiba, Intel, and Nokia. This powerful coalition signaled a commitment to cooperation and a common vision. They had the technical expertise and resources; all they needed now was a name for their groundbreaking project.
The Naming Story: Enter Harald Bluetooth
The credit for the name “Bluetooth” goes to Jim Kardach, an engineer at Intel. The inspiration struck him after a memorable evening, as recounted in Ericsson’s historical records, involving drinks with Sven Mattisson, an engineer from Ericsson. During their conversation, Mattisson shared tales of Scandinavian history, specifically mentioning a king named Harald Gormsson.
Harald Gormsson was a Viking king who reigned over Denmark and Norway in the 10th century. His nickname was “Blåtand,” which translates directly to “Bluetooth.” While the exact reason for this nickname remains debated – perhaps it referred to a discolored tooth, or maybe it was a metaphor for his unifying abilities – it was this very nickname that resonated with Kardach.
But what connection could a medieval king possibly have with modern wireless technology? Kardach’s rationale was ingenious: 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. It was a metaphorical stroke of brilliance, linking historical unification with technological harmonization. To further illustrate his point, Kardach even created a now-iconic, if somewhat retro, 1990s-style PowerPoint slide to present the name to the SIG members.
Why “Bluetooth” Stuck
Initially, “Bluetooth” was intended as a temporary code name for the project. The SIG members planned to eventually replace it with a more fitting and market-friendly name before the technology’s official launch. However, as often happens, a placeholder name gained traction.
Despite efforts to find a more “serious” name, “Bluetooth” began to stick. When the time came to finalize a brand name, the alternatives didn’t quite measure up. One leading contender was “PAN” (Personal Area Networking), but a trademark search revealed it was too generic, generating countless unrelated hits and making trademarking difficult. “Radio Wire,” another suggestion, also failed to gain sufficient support. In the end, “Bluetooth,” the Viking king’s nickname, remained the last name standing, and it was embraced as the official brand. The rest, as they say, is history.
The Bluetooth Logo: Runes and Vikings
The Bluetooth logo is as distinctive as its name. It might appear abstract at first glance, resembling a stylized “B” or perhaps some geometric shape. However, its origins are also rooted in Viking history and King Harald Bluetooth.
The logo is actually a combination of two Scandinavian runes, specifically bind-runes: áš¼ (Hagall) representing the letter “H,” and á›’ (Bjarkan) representing “B.” These runes are the initials of Harald Bluetooth. Overlaying these two runes creates the symbol we recognize today as the Bluetooth logo. Set against a blue background, the logo visually reinforces the technology’s namesake and its Viking heritage.
The Names That Didn’t Make It
While Bluetooth ultimately prevailed, several other names were considered and ultimately rejected during the naming process. These discarded names offer a glimpse into the different angles and priorities considered during the technology’s development.
Biz-RF
This was Intel’s internal project name for their short-range wireless program. “Biz-RF” was functional but lacked the catchy appeal needed for a consumer-facing technology. It remained an internal designation and never gained wider consideration.
MC Link
Ericsson, another key player in the SIG, used “MC Link,” short for “Multi-Communicator Link,” for their development program. While descriptive, “MC Link” felt somewhat technical and less memorable than “Bluetooth.” It was deemed unsuitable as a final product name.
Low Power-RF
Nokia’s initial program name, “Low Power-RF,” focused on a key technical feature – low power radio frequency communication. However, like “MC Link,” it was too technical and lacked the brand personality needed for broad consumer appeal.
PAN (Personal Area Networking)
“PAN,” standing for “Personal Area Networking,” was a strong contender and even the front-runner for a time. Proposed by IBM, “PAN” was conceptually accurate and descriptive of the technology’s purpose. It gained widespread acceptance within the SIG, but ultimately fell due to trademark issues. The sheer volume of search results for “PAN” online made securing a unique trademark challenging.
Radio Wire
Intel also proposed “Radio Wire” as a more descriptive umbrella term. “Radio Wire” lost in a 4-to-1 vote to “PAN” within the SIG. When “PAN” was dropped due to trademark concerns, “Radio Wire” didn’t have sufficient time for a thorough trademark review, leaving “Bluetooth” as the readily available backup.
Flirt
Perhaps the most unconventional name considered was “Flirt.” At one stage, the SIG entertained “Flirt,” even accompanied by the tagline: “Getting close, but not touching.” “Flirt” aimed for a more playful and consumer-friendly image. However, lacking any historical or technological resonance, and perhaps deemed too whimsical, “Flirt” was eventually discarded.
In conclusion, the name “Bluetooth,” seemingly quirky and unexpected, carries a rich and fascinating story. It’s a testament to a moment of creative inspiration, linking cutting-edge technology to the legacy of a Viking king who united Scandinavia centuries ago. The next time you use Bluetooth, remember you’re using technology named after Harald Bluetooth, a king who, in his own way, also aimed to unite disparate entities.
