Did you know that Bluetooth technology, which connects our devices wirelessly, is named after a 10th-century Danish king?

In my blog series, Short Stories of History, I’ll explore some of the most captivating events from the past. These stories will reveal how history continues to shape our lives today and why it remains relevant.

The fascinating story behind the name

Harald Bluetooth, also known as Harald Blåtand, ruled Denmark from around 958 to 986 AD. He is known for uniting Denmark with Norway and parts of Sweden and for introducing Christianity to the region. His legacy continued through his grandson, Canute, who later ruled England, Denmark, and Norway.

Before Harald became king, Scandinavia was made up of many separate and fighting kingdoms and tribes. Harald united Denmark, Norway, and parts of Sweden into one strong kingdom. He also made it easier to spread Christianity, which was new to the region that had many different local religions. By bringing the areas together, Harald promoted connected Scandinavia with Christian Europe, changing its cultural landscape.

In 1996, as Intel, Ericsson, and Nokia worked on a new wireless technology. Jim Kardach of Intel proposed the name “Bluetooth” after Harald Bluetooth. This name symbolized their goal of connecting various devices, mirroring Harald’s achievement of unifying Scandinavia. The Bluetooth logo is actually a combination of Harald Bluetooth’s initials, H and B, derived from an ancient runic alphabet.

This historical link not only gives the technology a richer story but also shows how past milestones can inspire and shape today’s innovations.