Bluetooth, wireless connection system or plundering Viking King? As it turns out both actually! #BrandNaming #Branding When the founders of Bluetooth SIG, the creators of the Bluetooth and Bluetooth #IT #Technology, were looking for a #CreativeBrandName to describe their new system which wirelessly connects multiple systems, Thor’s hammer of creativity struck them with the perfect name. Harald Gormsson, the 10 century King who is often referred to as the “last Viking King,” (of the plundering and Long Boat riding kind) single handedly united the Kingdoms of Denmark and Norway without killing the populous. The Bluetooth creators thought, what better name for a system that unites your wireless devices without murder and mayhem? The Gormsson of course! Oh, we forget to mention that, while King Harald Gormsson was out uniting countries, plundering the English seaside with his rabble of rowdy friends, and brining Christianity to Denmark, that didn’t leave a lot of time to go to the dentist. Apparently, King Harald’s pore dental hygiene, or multiple facial traumas for that matter, lead to a dead front tooth, which over time turned black and/or blue. With so many other King Haralds running around, his conspicuous dental dilemma became his moniker, and Harald “Bluetooth” Gormsson was cemented in history. So, the next time you’re connecting your TV to your toaster, or refrigerator to your surround sound, think of the 10th century horned helmet wearing, ax wielding, Viking King and sleep soundly. It just goes to show that brand naming inspiration can come from anywhere. www.smithsonianmag.com/smart-news/why-is-bluetooth-called-bluetooth-hint-vikings-16270647/