Bluetooth And Its Historical Origins

Quite many people might not be aware of the Viking origins of the Bluetooth protocol system or about its early development history. In these particular respects, I would hereby want to expose a brief overview on this groundbreaking technology that revolutionised data transfer and connections between, most notably, computers and cell phones since the mid 1990s onward.

Briefly, Bluetooth is a secure wireless technology that facilitates data transfer between various electronic devices, including computers, cell phones, and gaming consoles. What one may not known about it though is that its very name traces its roots back to the tumultuous Viking period.

This invention was patented in 1994 by the Swedish networking company Ericsson, with its main purpose being to constitute an alternative to the RS-232 serial communication data cables. Nonetheless, an even earlier development of a 'short-link' radio technology can be as well credited to Ericsson Mobile in 1989, five years prior to the official release of Bluetooth as we all know it today.

On the development of the Bluetooth system, it is imperative to mention that the idea for its name stemmed from Jim Kardach of Intel, who was then reading a book about the Vikings and the reign of King Harald Bluetooth of Denmark in particular. Now, one might conclude that the name of this revolutionary technology has virtually speaking nothing to do with the blue colour or any tooth but rather with a historical personality (and so does it seem, apparently).

But the story turns even more interesting! Since Bluetooth's name and logo have been associated with the Norse history (with the Danish monarch Harald Bluetooth and two letters of the Runic alphabet most specifically), it's worth presenting a few notes on the life and deeds of its main historical inspiration.

Consequently, legend has it that King Harald Bluetooth 'earned' his nickname in one of the two possible following ways:

1. King Harald's teeth went black along with the natural process of aging but given the fact that there was no clear distinction between 'black' and 'blue' from Old Norse to Old English, his name stuck simply as Bluetooth in modern English.
2. He could have been a huge fan of blueberries/blackberries.

As simpler as the aforementioned theories can be, it must be said that King Harald Bluetooth is clearly remembered for uniting Norway with Denmark during the late 10th century, a union that would subsequently last for several centuries to come. Moreover, his Old Norse initials (H & B; hagall and bjarkan) are depicted on its logo (see below).

In conclusion, the Bluetooth protocol system connects devices between themselves just as the once powerful Norse ruler of the same name united Denmark and Norway under the same crown. The next two Youtube videos pretty much sum up what I've previously wrote:

Nowadays, the historical landmark that bears references to both united Denmark, King Harald Bluetooth and his parents, namely the Jelling runestones, can be found in the village of Jelling, Jutland, Denmark.

Documentation sources and external links:

1. Harald I, King of Denmark on www.britannica.com
2. What is the Bluetooth technology name origin on www.highnames.com
3. 'So, that's why it's called Bluetooth!' and other surprising tech name origins on www.pcworld.com
4. Why is Bluetooth Called Bluetooth? (Hint: Vikings!) on www.smithsonianmag.com
5. Bluetooth on www.wikipedia.org (in English)
6. First image: The Dockyards via Pixabay on www.pixabay.com (public domain file)
7. Second image: The Dockyards via Pixabay on www.pixabay.com (public domain file)