Do you recognize that logo? You should – it’s one of the most recognizable symbols in the world. More than 92% of the population recognizes it!
But… what is Bluetooth, exactly? It’s one of those technologies we see every day but never really think about. However, the story is actually quite fascinating…
First things first: What’s Bluetooth?
If you google it, you get an answer like:
Bluetooth is a wireless technology standard for exchanging data between fixed and mobile devices over short distances using short-wavelength UHF blah blah blah…
What a mouthful. No wonder nobody really knows how Bluetooth works! Let’s try again, but with less technical jargon:
Bluetooth is a universal way for different types of devices to communicate with each other at short range. Think of it like a language; each device has its own language that it uses to operate. However, other devices don’t speak that language, so they need a universal language to communicate with each other.
Bluetooth is that “universal language”. It allows even devices that operate very differently from each other, like headphones and a computer, to connect and work together easily.
(Of course, it’s only meant for short ranges. Just like the human voice, Bluetooth can’t communicate at long distances. Nor was it meant to – imagine scrolling through a list of the whole world’s headphones just to find yours!)
Almost all modern devices use Bluetooth, regardless of the brand who made it. This is great for everyone involved. It allows brands to create new products without worrying about whether or not their customers will be able to connect them to their favorite devices. It also makes life easier for us consumers, because we only have to learn Bluetooth and don’t have to worry about anything else.
Who created Bluetooth?
True to its eventual use, Bluetooth was a collaboration between multiple major technology companies: Nokia, Intel, Ericsson, Toshiba, and IBM.
Back in 1998, each of these companies was developing their own system similar to Bluetooth. Ericsson was building something called the “MC-Link” and Intel was building something similar called “Business-RF”.
At one point, they must have realized how silly that was – they were all creating their own unique languages to connect their own devices. However, that means their devices wouldn’t be able to communicate with devices made by anyone else.
That would either limit people’s choices to a single brand, or require complicated techniques to connect devices that spoke different “languages”.
Thankfully, they all got together and agreed to create one single universal standard. To accomplish this, they created the Bluetooth Special Interest Group in 1998 with their brightest engineers.
They didn’t waste any time. The first Bluetooth-enabled device launched just one year later, in 1999. The first mobile phone with Bluetooth followed shortly thereafter, reaching stores in 2001.
The collaboration was a smashing success, and the new “language” became the world’s standard for cross-device communication. It remains under oversight of The Bluetooth Special Interest Group, a not-for-profit organization.
Now that you know how Bluetooth works and why it’s important, there must be one last question on your mind…
Why the heck is it called “Bluetooth”?!
For something so technical, you would expect a boring name like “Universal Cross-Device Language” or “Communication Protocol 1.58b” right?
Nope. Bluetooth got lucky – it’s actually named after a Danish king!
The story goes that two engineers (who would eventually work on Bluetooth together) were having a beer back in 1997. They started talking about history, and one of them brought up King Harald “Bluetooth” Gormsson.
King Bluetooth was responsible for uniting various parts of Scandinavia back in the 10th century. The engineers thought this was a fitting name for their project, so they used it as a temporary title… but it was so good, it stuck.
Bonus: The logo is a combination of his initials (H.B.) in Nordic letters!
On second thought, “Communication Protocol 1.58b” has a nice ring to it…
That’s how everything should be taught
Thanks for the feedback, Jeremy – and we agree! We love making complicated things simple. We hope you enjoy our future articles as well, and please continue to share your feedback with us.
I am a new member and happy to be here. Now, since you ” love making complicated things simple”, how about making Object Oriented Programming (OOP) simple? I sort of understand it, but I still don’t know how to write my own. Can you help with that? If you really want to help me, try to think you are explaining it to a 6 year old.
Thank you, Joseph
Hey Joseph, thanks for the suggestion – it’s a great one! We’re curious about OOP as well, so we’ve added it to our list. Keep an eye on your inbox 🙂
Great article! Now I understand what Bluetooth is!
This was a very useful article. I never knew what “Bluetooth” was (exactly) until I read this piece. Thank you.
Happy to hear you enjoyed it Walter! If there are any other innovations or technology you’d like us to cover in the future, please let us know!
Wouldn’t you (and your readership) be interested in ‘the rest of story’? Why was old Harold referred to as “Bluetooth”?
ANSWER: The Norse epoch says that old Harold had chipped or partially broke a frontal tooth (like an incisor), and because teeth sometimes ‘die’ in place they often will change color … from dentine white to grey, and may even appear … blue! That is what supposedly happened; his incisor (presumably) had died in place and eventually acquired a blue appearance. Ergo: Harold the Bluetooth of lore.
Now wasn’t that nicer to be more complete?
RD Looman, WA state
Wow… very interesting! Thanks for sharing and helping us finish off the story RD!
I really enjoyed all of this, including Rolfs. Never knew the whole story of Bluetooth. Cool. Thankyou! Stay safe!🤳😷
First time see you in my computer. Very relevant information, explained very well. If you maintain these qualities you are sure to be seen in my computer for a long time.
Happy to hear this was valuable. Thanks for sharing Ralph!
I really revel in reading about new things. This article about Blue Tooth …..Outstanding!!!
Thanks Alicia! Happy to hear you enjoyed it and that you love reading about new things – which is exactly what our Innovation Newsletter focuses on 🙂
Brilliant
Thanks Anthony!
Article was EXCELLENT and very informative! Thank you!
Thanks Debra! Glad it was helpful 🙂
Great Story, enjoy being enlightened on something so everyday. Plus, I’m Danish!
My first read! And I love it! Always wondered about the origin of Bluetooth. Now I know, and am ready for Jeopardy! Simple and factual is what I like. Keep it going!
Welcome, John! Glad your first read was enjoyable – here’s to many more 🙂
Thanks very much now I understand
I THINK IT WAS GREAT. ALEAYS WANTED AN EXPLANATION OF BLUTOOTH. NOW I KNOW. THANKS ALOT
Awesome, we’re very happy to hear Thomas!
I think it’s all been said I totally agree very informative..Thanks
Very informative. This article caught my attention before I unsubscribed, which I do almost daily. I will be sticking around to learn more. Thank you.
Thanks James! Hope you enjoy the future editions as much as this one 🙂
Very good article on Bluetooth. I enjoyed several stories in my first newsletter. Explained well and informative. Keep up the good work and I will continue to read good things.
Thanks, William – we’re happy to have you as a reader!
Really appreciate the Bluetooth explanation.
Over all my initial experience with PCMATIC is looking much better than I had imagined.
I,m hoping that “Bluetooth” is the first of many.
I had a hunch. Now, I know!
Always wondered what Bluetooth was(is)
always wondered what it was, how it worked & what it was originally for, now i know
Awesome! Great information and history lesson! 🙂
It’s all been said, look forward to the next one
Had my first read of Giddy up which in turn led to my first and minimal understanding of computer and bluetooth
I’m a why? person. Love the article and input from other people! First time I heard of Giddy up. I will spread the word. Yesss!
Wow! Being candid with you. The first time I saw an email named Giddyup, I thought it might be a scammer and just kept on viewing my mail but eventually tapped on Giddyup. Reason for doubt. That is what you tell a horse when you want it to speedup. Well you sped up to the top of my list. Thank you for saving my reputation for intelligence about Bluetooth. Now I know why it won’t also work in my house from my vehicle. Keep the good news coming!!!!
Thank you Sandra! We appreciate your candidness, and we’re glad we giddy’d up to the top of your list 🙂 Happy to have you as a reader!
You are the greatest.