World invention wifi comes 'just' from the Netherlands. 'Many were skeptical'
In the Innovation Maestros series, we discuss innovations from our little country that are shaking up the tech world. Today: inventor Bruce Tuch on wifi.
Published on October 25, 2024
Everything new is wildly interesting! That's the motto of our DATA+ expert, Elcke Vels. She writes stories about AI and how it affects our society, has a series on cyber security, and interviews Dutch innovation maestros. In her “What if...” column, she also explores intriguing scenarios that deviate from the status quo.
The world does not function without wifi. However, few people know that this wireless technology was invented in the Netherlands. Bruce Tuch was the technical leader of WaveLAN, the first commercial wireless communications network, making him one of the founders of wifi as we know it today. “The technology got a huge boost because Apple wanted to add a 'wow factor' to iBook,” he said.
Wifi is indispensable in all sectors that keep our society running, such as hospitals, education, and logistics. Nor can consumers do without it. At home, on the train, or in a coffee shop: we are used to being connected anytime, anywhere. Nowadays, wifi allows us internet speeds of up to 9.6 gigabits per second. That contrasts sharply with the slow connections of the 1990s: 2 megabits per second. “Of course, that seems like nothing compared to the speeds we are used to today, but we already realized that the technology had enormous potential back then,” Tuch said.
He initially flew to the Netherlands from the United States in 1980 to work at Philips, but after a few years, he moved to tech and software company NCR Corporation. “There I went to work on a new technology that used wireless communication. Special rules were established for the ISM radio bands, frequencies on the radio spectrum specifically reserved for industrial, scientific, and medical applications. In that context, I first worked on a feasibility study to demonstrate that NCR could wirelessly connect its POS systems. Shortly after we presented a successful prototype, NCR was eventually transformed into the WCND (Wireless Communication & Network Division), a division focused entirely on developing and selling WaveLAN.” That's a precursor to wifi designed specifically for POS systems. Bruce headed the Research & Development team, and Cees Links led the division.
Skeptics
That this technology would grow into a global consumer product with wide application was anything but certain at the time. “Renowned experts in the field of communication systems did not see its usefulness for the consumer market. They asked me, 'Why would they need such a thing?' The technology was compared to a portable toilet: handy at the campsite, but otherwise: totally unnecessary.”
Students hacking network
Tuch remained hopeful. His confidence was boosted when he was asked to set up a larger-scale system. This project involved building a wireless network at Carnegie Mellon University for research purposes. What began as a test for researchers soon became popular among students. “They hacked the system and used it en masse on campus. That was the moment I realized: this technology is going to be big.”
A new standard
To make his vision a reality, a unified standard was needed. One of his colleagues, Vic Hayes, an expert in standards and litigation, led this process. “In 1991, we worked within the IEEE 802 working group, part of the Institute of Electrical and Electronics Engineers, to develop such a standard. That way devices from different manufacturers could communicate with each other without problems.” In 1997, the first version of wifi officially made its appearance.
Two years later, the Wi-Fi Alliance was founded by a group of companies. The purpose of this organization was to certify wireless products. Products that met the requirements received the official wifi logo, which gave consumers confidence in the quality and compatibility of their devices. Also, the name Wi-Fi was born: an abbreviation of . “By the way, you pronounce it 'waifai,' not 'wiefie,' as many Dutch people do,” Tuch (he has dual citizenship) says with a laugh.
Apple and Intel
The technology then gained momentum. It got a huge boost as Apple sought to add a “wow factor” to the iBook in 1999. With its vibrant colors and playful design, it brought a fresh look to the laptop market, which at the time consisted mostly of boring models. The iBook connected wirelessly to the Internet via an Apple AirPort base station and a built-in wifi card. “During the official presentation of the iBook, Steve Jobs put a hula hoop around the laptop to show that it really was wireless.”
Faster and faster
At this moment in time, we can't function without wifi. People are still working hard to optimize the wireless network. The 2 megabits per second is long gone. In 2004, the speed was increased to 54 megabits. Meanwhile, we have arrived at wifi 7, coming this year, with theoretical speeds of up to 46 gigabits per second. “This opens up new doors, especially for gamers who rely on low latency."
Wi-Fi NOW Hall of Fame
Tuch is no longer directly involved in the development of wifi, but his love for developing new technology remains undiminished. He is currently focused on visual AI within Vision Semantics.
His fond memories of the “good old days” of wifi will always remain. The engineer was inducted into the Wi-Fi NOW Hall of Fame, for his exceptional contribution to the technology. “I look back on my career with a smile. It's been a great ride, so far.”