Bluetooth is named after an ancient Viking king who unified Denmark and Norway.
The technology behind Bluetooth connectivity has become increasingly popular and has been used by a new generation of hearing aids and COVID-19 contact tracing apps, among other things.
While wireless technology has become an essential part of everyday life, not many people have given much thought to the inspiration behind the iconic Bluetooth name and logo.
King Harald reigned over Denmark and Norway in the late 10th century, dating from 958 to 985, and was known for uniting the tribes of Denmark and converting the Danes to Christianity, according to Britannica.
The exact year of his birth is unknown; however, it was traditionally thought to have been 910 or 911. According to Ancient Origins, he was the son of King Gorm the Old and Queen Thyra.
In December 1996, Intel’s Jim Kardach, who had read a book on Viking history, suggested Bluetooth as a codename until the marketing group could develop a formal technology name.
“When asked about the name Bluetooth, I explained that Bluetooth was borrowed from the 10th century second King of Denmark, King Harald Bluetooth, who was famous for uniting Scandinavia just as we intended to unite the PC and cellular industries with a short-range wireless link,” Kardach wrote in a 2008 column for the EE Times.
He added that he created a PowerPoint foil with a version of the Runic stone where Harald held a cellphone in one hand and a notebook in the other hand.
The codename Bluetooth was inserted into contracts as a placeholder until finalized an official name. When other words that were evaluated did not work out, Bluetooth remained.
The ubiquitous logo symbolizes “a bind rune merging the Younger Futhark runes (Hagall) ᚼ) and (Bjarkan) (ᛒ), Harald’s initials,” according to Bluetooth’s website.