Its origins go back more than 1,000 years to a Viking king who ruled Denmark. Bluetooth is a familiar part of everyday life, helping people connect their phones to headphones, speakers, cars and other devices without wires. But the technology’s unusual name has little to do with modern gadgets. The story behind the name also explains why the technology’s logo looks unlike most modern tech symbols.
One of these monuments, commissioned by Harald, describes his achievements, including bringing Denmark and Norway under his rule and converting the Danes to Christianity. Intel engineer Jim Kardach suggested the name Bluetooth as a temporary project codename. Alternatives included RadioWire and PAN, short for Personal Area Networking. However, PAN was already widely used, while the trademark checks for RadioWire could not be completed in time.
In 1996, companies including Intel, Ericsson and Nokia were involved in discussions about developing this technology.
The king’s legacy is recorded on ancient runestones in Jelling, a town in Denmark, according to BBC Travel . The name was initially supposed to be replaced before the technology’s launch, according to the official Bluetooth website .
