Thread by @OnlyNakedTruth

Today's thread.
How an ancient Danish King, who united several warring clans, inspired modern Engineers to create a unified wireless standard.

Bluetooth: one protocol to rule them all

#CBG_Thread #EngineersDay 1/n

In late 90s , connecting devices with each other was a big nightmare. Almost every gadget had a custom cable.

And wireless space was fragmented among infrared and proprietary wireless protocols. 2/n

Intel's Jim Kardach and Ericsson's Sven Mathesson were presenting competing wireless technologies MC-Link and Biz RF to industry.

Both got rejected. Later in the evening, they met up over drinks where Sven told Jim about King Harald Bluetooth of Denmark eetimes.com/document.asp?d…

Jim realized that Harald Bluetooth who united the whole of Scandinavia under one great empire was the answer to their problems. The industry needed to join forces and not compete. And thus was born the new wireless standard. Jim created a mock-up of Harald holding a PC and phone

The symbol of new wireless standard Bluetooth was created by joining symbols of initials of king Harald Bluetooth- H and B in Norse .5/n

Bluetooth was far more successful than infra red as it didn't need line of sight visibility. It also implemented frequency hopping technique that was invented by a Hollywood actress Hedy Lamarr . It prevented interference among devices.

It united wireless like King Harald

In case you are wondering why was king Bluetooth called so, it was because his teeth were tainted blue due to his overt fondness for blueberries.

Engineers make the world go round, taking inspiration from ancient, medieval, futuristic and imaginary. n/n

#EngineersDay