The origin of Bluetooth: A Viking king's legacy in the tech world
The name of today's indispensable wireless communication technology, Bluetooth, was inspired by the 10th-century Viking king who united Denmark and Norway.
The name of the Bluetooth technology, which connects wireless devices, was chosen in the 1990s by engineers as a temporary codename inspired by the history of Harald Bluetooth, the Viking king who united Denmark and Norway in the 10th century.
The Viking Origin of Bluetooth Technology
The name of the technology that wirelessly connects devices such as phones, headphones, and computers today dates back more than 1,000 years. The person who gave his name to the technology is Harald Gormsson, who ruled Denmark in the 10th century.
The Jelling Stones and Historical Heritage
Harald Bluetooth's story can be traced on the runic stones in the town of Jelling, Denmark. These stones state that the king conquered Denmark and Norway and converted his people to Christianity. The structures in the region were added to the UNESCO World Heritage List in 1994.
From Codename to Global Brand
In the late 1990s, engineers from different companies needed a temporary codename while working on a new technology that would allow devices to communicate. Intel engineer Jim Kardach suggested this name, inspired by Viking history.
Public Relations Concerns
The name Bluetooth was initially intended to be only a temporary codename. Although the public relations teams of the companies worried that the name might be associated with poor dental health, the most memorable option among the choices was selected.
Logo and Museum Visit
The technology's logo was created by combining the Scandinavian runes representing the initials of Harald Bluetooth. In 2023, the founders visited the Kongernes Jelling museum and offered a humorous apology for using the king's name.