Did you know that Bluetooth is named for Harold Bluetooth, ancient king of Denmark and Norway?

[AviatorTom]

Harold Bluetooth ruled as the King of Denmark and Norway in the 10th Century. The Nordic runes of his initials (H+B, (ᚼ, Hagall) and (ᛒ, Bjarkan)) are combined to form the Bluetooth icon.

It's interesting to note that this was only designed as a temporary thing, with a more descriptive name (like short-distance WiFi?) but became permanent later.

Did you know that?

[purplepoppy]

Yes he was supposed to have gotten the name because his teeth were stained by eating blueberries. A tradition still live and well in the UK, particularly in Shropshire area. Come summer the hills are full of wild small blueberries called wimberries, whinberries or bilberries depending where your from. The locals collect masses of them to turn into wimberry pie, jams, jelly, wine, muffins etc. It wasn't that long ago kids would be given the week off school to harvest them. Unlike the modern blueberry they stain everything purple, particularly your teeth.

[RavVid]

Was completely unaware of this and thank you for telling us this interesting fact.

I like to find out one interesting thing per day. I can take the rest of my Saturday off now :)

[andreasderjuengere]

When Geeks and Nerds are left unattended, the strangest things happen.

Yes I knew the general background. Although the detail ''Harold'' had slipped out of my memory.

[Ill_made_Knight]

I do remember having seen that somewhere upon having my memory jogged

[Chazmatazz269]

Seems like i have heard something about this before, but it didn’t really sink in.

[Nikki1989]

No, but I do now.

Cheers!

[DryGermanGuy]

Yeah, I read about him ("König Blauzahn" in German) in history books.

[msc545]

I was aware of that. Having read it elsewhere previously. I think Harald must have been an on and off again guy based on my experiences with Bluetooth.

[Shiprex]

I did know that and found it very interesting.

[KostasKouvalis]

I did, but totally forgot, so thanks for remininding me

[NathanDavis]

yeah... I watched that series, Vikings... two or three times

[Xdressertiff]

No but I do now Tom thanks

[WhitneySnow]

I did know that! Saw it somewhere online

[MrChinaski]

I was not aware.

[exitseven]

I did sort of know that.

[BCRanger10]

Why, yes Tom, I did!

[OlderAndWiser]

It’s news to me!

[Paige2006]

No I didn't