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Hardware designer and manufacturer, SparkFun, has a short biography about computer engineer Ajay Bhatt who is widely recognized as one of the key inventors of the Universal Serial Bus (USB).
Once the design was finalized, Bhatt and his team worked with other technology companies to promote and standardize the USB. They formed a working group called the USB Implementers Forum (USB-IF) to develop the USB specification, which was first introduced in 1996.
The USB specification quickly gained widespread adoption in the technology industry due to its convenience and versatility, and new versions of the standard were introduced over the years to improve data transfer speeds, power management, and other features. Today, the USB is used in a wide range of devices, and it continues to evolve and improve with each new iteration.
When Intel initially developed the USB, it held the patents for the technology, which allowed the company to control the standard and charge licensing fees for its use. However, Intel soon realized that its proprietary approach was not in the best interests of the industry or consumers. The company recognized that the success of the USB depended on its widespread adoption and interoperability with different devices, which would not be possible if licensing fees were required for every use.
In response, Intel took a bold step and transferred ownership of the USB specifications to a non-profit organization called the USB Implementers Forum (USB-IF). The USB-IF is a group of companies that work together to promote and develop the USB standard, with the goal of ensuring that the standard remains open and accessible to all.
Intel's decision to transfer ownership of the USB specifications to the USB-IF was a pivotal moment in the development of the USB standard. It helped to ensure that the USB became a truly universal and open interface, which has had a profound impact on the computer industry and consumers around the world. Today, the USB is used in a wide range of devices, from computers and smartphones to home appliances and automotive systems, and it continues to evolve and improve to meet the needs of an ever-changing technological landscape.
Previously:
(2022) Henn Tan and the Invention of the USB Thumb Drive in Singapore
(2022) Linux Fu: Eavesdropping On Serial
(Score: 4, Touché) by DadaDoofy on Sunday May 14, @11:42AM (3 children)
This guy was an idiot. Why would anyone design a connector that has a 50/50 chance of actually working when you plug it in?
(Score: 2) by kazzie on Sunday May 14, @02:58PM (2 children)
That's not much different from a D-connector, the contemporary alternative.
PS/2 connectors were even better: without a suitably moulded plug, the notches of the mini-DIN connector are all too easy to miss, and then you're bending pins as you mash in a round connector with apparently infinite rotational symmetry.
(Score: 1, Informative) by Anonymous Coward on Sunday May 14, @03:12PM
2) For some connectors even if they don't work when rotated by 180 at least it's usually obvious which way you should be trying - e.g. the UK plug.
(Score: 0) by Anonymous Coward on Tuesday May 16, @01:45AM