What connects your devices wirelessly and carries a name with ancient roots?

Answer: Bluetooth.

Bluetooth is named after a 10th-century Scandinavian king, Harald "Blåtand" Gormsson, who ruled Denmark and Norway from 958 to 985, according to Business Insider. Gormsson was also known for his dead tooth, which had a dark blue/grey shade, earning him the nickname "Blåtand," meaning "Bluetooth" in Danish.

In 1996, as short-range radio technology was developing, major companies like Intel, Ericsson, and Nokia recognized the need for a unified wireless standard. In December of that year, representatives from these companies met at Ericsson’s plant in Lund, Sweden, to discuss the future of wireless communication.

During this meeting, Intel's Jim Kardach suggested naming the project "Bluetooth," inspired by King Harald, who was known for uniting Scandinavia. Kardach believed that, like the king, the new technology would unite the PC and cellular industries through a short-range wireless link.

The Bluetooth logo, which resembles the letter "B," is actually King Blåtand's initials written in ancient Danish runes.

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