While both WIFI and Bluetooth technologies have roots in the work of multiple individual and organizations, Hedy Lamarr is widely recognized here foundational contribution to the technology that underlies both, particularly through her invention of a frequency hopping spread spectrum system. Vic Hayes is often referred to as the “father of WIFI” for his significant role in developing and standardizing the 802.11 protocol. Jim Kardach of Intel proposed the codename “Bluetooth” inspired by Scandinavian history.
Hedy Lamarr’s contribution:
- During World War-II Lamarr, along with composer George Antheil, developed a ” frequency hoping” system to guid torpedoes, which was a precursor to spread spectrum technology.
- This technology involving the transmitter and receiver hopping to new frequencies together prevented interception and jamming forming a basis for modern wireless communication including WIFI and Bluetooth.
Vic Hayes’s contribution:
- Hayes is known for his leadership in the development of the IEEE 802.11 modern WIFI.
- He is often referred to as the “father of WIFI” due to his significant role in shaping and standardizing the technology.
Other Important contributors:
- Several companies and individuals contributed to the development of WIFI technology, including NCR Corporation and AT&T, who invented the precursor to 802.11 called WavelLAN.
- The Bluetooth SIG (Special Interest Group) a committee of companies, is responsible for licensing and maintaining the Bluetooth standard.
Bluetooth and WIFI are wireless communication that allow devices to connect without physical cables Bluetooth is mainly used for short-range connections, such as pairing headphone speakers, keyboards, and transferring small files between devices. WIFI provides high-speed internet access over a longer range, allowing devices like smartphone, laptops, and smart home gadgets to connect to the internet or local networks. Both are helpful in making communication faster, reducing the needs for wires, supporting portable devices and enabling feature like files sharing online gaming video streaming and wireless printing.