The Bluetooth symbol is one of the most recognizable logos in the world, but have you ever wondered where it came from? The symbol was created by a team of designers at Intel, led by Jim Kardach, in 1997.
The team was tasked with finding a symbol that represented the idea of two devices connecting with each other. They drew inspiration from a 10th-century Danish king, Harald Blåtand, or Harold Bluetooth in English, who united warring factions in Denmark.
The Bluetooth logo is a combination of the runes for the letters "H" and "B", which are the initials of Harald Blåtand's name in Old Norse. This connection to the past was a deliberate choice to convey the idea of connection and unity.
The logo has undergone several revisions over the years, but its core elements have remained the same.
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The Iconic Bluetooth Symbol
The iconic Bluetooth symbol is a hard-edged symbol made from the combination of two runes from the runic alphabet known as the 'Younger Futhark'.
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The two distinct symbols are the runes of 'Hagal' (ᚼ) and the other of 'Bjarkan' (ᛒ), which represent the initials 'H' and 'B'.
The merging of these two runic letters has a double meaning, representing the initials of the monarch Harald Bluetooth and the connection between two devices, the essence of Bluetooth technology.
The Bluetooth logo is actually the initials of Harald Bluetooth in Old Norse runic symbols, a translation of the Old Norse runes required to dig down into the origins of the Bluetooth symbol.
The merging of the two runes signifies the connection between two devices, which is the essence of Bluetooth technology.
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History of Bluetooth
The origin of the word Bluetooth is quite fascinating. It's named after King Harald "Bluetooth" Gormsson, a 10th-century king of Norway and Denmark who lived from 910-940 AD.
King Harald was credited with uniting the warring Scandinavian tribes. He's the reason why the Bluetooth logo features the initials H and B.
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The Bluetooth technology was originally developed by Ericsson. It's now used in many products from various manufacturers.
The Bluetooth Special Interest Group (SIG) oversees the development of Bluetooth standards. They also license the Bluetooth trademarks to companies that use the technology in their products.
Jim Kardach, the founding chairman of the Bluetooth SIG, suggested the name "Bluetooth" as a temporary code name. He chose it because King Harald united Scandinavia, just as they aimed to unite the PC and cellular industries with a short-range wireless link.
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Frequently Asked Questions
Is the Bluetooth symbol a sigil?
No, the Bluetooth symbol is not a sigil in the traditional sense, but rather a bind rune combining the initials of King Harald "Bluetooth". This unique design is rooted in Viking history and culture, making it a distinctive and meaningful emblem.
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