Bluetooth History

The Bluetooth SIG

The name “Bluetooth” and its logo are trademarked by the privately held trade association named the Bluetooth Special Interest Group (SIG). 
Founded in September 1998, the Bluetooth SIG is a unification of leaders in the telecommunications, computing, network, industrial automation, and Automotive industries. Today, the Bluetooth SIG is responsible for encouraging and supporting research and development in Bluetooth technology.
The Bluetooth SIG includes promoter member companies Microsoft, Ericsson, IBM, Intel, Agere, Motorola, Nokia, and Toshiba, plus thousands of Associate and Adopter member companies (BlueTomorrow.com's parent company, SP Commerce LLC, is a licensed and certified Adopter member of the Bluetooth SIG).

Why is It Called Bluetooth?

The developers of this wireless technology first used the name "Bluetooth" as a code name, but as time past, the name stuck.
The word "Bluetooth" is taken from the 10th century Danish King Harald Bluetooth. King Bluetooth had been influential in uniting Scandinavian Europe during an era when the region was torn apart by wars and feuding clans.
The founders of the Bluetooth SIG felt the name was fitting because:
1) Bluetooth technology was first developed in Scandinavia, and
2) Bluetooth technology is able to unite differing industries such as the cell phone, computing, and automotive markets. Bluetooth wireless technology simplifies and combines multiple forms of wireless communication into a single, secure, low-power, low-cost, globally available radio frequency.

Where Did the Logo Come From?

A Scandinavian firm originally designed the logo at the time the SIG was formally introduced to the public. Keeping to the same origin as the Bluetooth name, the logo unites the Runic alphabetic characters "H", which looks similar to an asterisk, and a "B", which are the initials for Harald Bluetooth. If you look close enough you can see both embodied in the logo.

Bluetooth Technology Over the Years

1998 - Bluetooth technology is officially introduced and the Bluetooth SIG is formed. Bluetooth technology's intended basic purpose is to be a wire replacement technology in order to rapidly transfer voice and data.
1999 - Bluetooth 1.0 Specification is introduced.
2003 - The Bluetooth SIG overhauls the Bluetooth Core Specification with the announcement of Version 2.1.
2004 - Bluetooth Version 2.0 + EDR (Enhanced Data Rate) is introduced.
2005 - Devices using Version 2.0 + EDR begin to hit the market in late 2005.
2007 - Bluetooth Core Specification Version 2.1 + EDR is adopted by the Bluetooth SIG.
2009 - Bluetooth Core Specification Version 3.0 + HS (High Speed) is adopted by the Bluetooth SIG.