The curious origins of Bluetooth's name
When Giulia came home from school today, she was anxious to tell me what she learned about a Viking King and his legacy. She told me the story of King Harald Gormsson, who ruled Denmark and Norway from c. 958 to c. 986. Harald is mainly known for introducing Christianity to Denmark and consolidating his rule over most Jutland and Zealand. However, what sparked my interest is that Harald was nicknamed “Bluetooth”, and, in 1997, the Bluetooth wireless specification design was named after him. The choice was based on an analogy that the technology would unite devices the way Harald united the tribes of Denmark into a single kingdom. Furthermore, the Bluetooth logo consists of the two Scandinavian runes for his initials, H (ᚼ) and B (ᛒ)1 ...