Bizzare Facts
Bizarre Fact:
The 'Wi-Fi' name doesn't stand for 'Wireless Fidelity'.
Quick Explanation:
The name was created by a branding firm and doesn't officially stand for anything, though the 'hi-fi' comparison was intentional.
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The Full Story:
The global standard for wireless connectivity, **Wi-Fi**, is often mistakenly assumed to be an acronym for 'Wireless Fidelity,' much like 'Hi-Fi' stands for 'High Fidelity.' However, the company that governs the standard, the Wi-Fi Alliance, has stated that the term does not officially stand for anything; it is simply a brand name created by a marketing firm.
In **1999**, the technical group (then known as the IEEE 802.11 Working Group) hired the branding firm Interbrand to come up with a consumer-friendly name for their complex technical standard. Interbrand proposed 'Wi-Fi' specifically because it evoked the popular term 'Hi-Fi,' suggesting a standard of high-quality wireless connectivity.
The Wi-Fi Alliance briefly attempted to use the clumsy tagline, 'The Standard for Wireless Fidelity,' which helped cement the misconception. However, the term's success as a brand name proves that abstract branding often triumphs over technical jargon, turning a series of complex networking protocols into one of the most recognized and convenient words in the world.
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