In the mid-1990s, computer users grappled with a tangled mess of different ports and connectors, each requiring specific cables for keyboards, mice, printers, and other peripherals. This chaotic landscape was about to change thanks to the visionary work of Ajay Bhatt and his team at Intel, who developed the Universal Serial Bus (USB). Bhatt’s motivation was personal: the frequent technical issues his family encountered with connecting devices spurred him to create a universal standard that would simplify these tasks.
Ajay Bhatt was born in 1957 in Baroda, India, and after completing his graduation from Maharaja Sayajirao University, he moved to the City University of New York for his Master’s degree. Bhatt joined Intel in 1990, where he became a senior staff architect. His prolific career at Intel saw him earn 132 US and international patents, though the USB, notably, is not among them.
The development of the USB started as a project to streamline the myriad of connectors into a single, user-friendly standard. This effort required collaboration across the industry, including key discussions with companies like Microsoft. One pivotal moment came when Microsoft’s Betsy Tanner expressed concerns about the USB’s initial speed being too high for certain peripherals like the mouse, which led Bhatt’s team to develop both high-speed and low-speed transfer options, ensuring broader compatibility and adoption.
Convincing the tech industry to adopt USB was a significant challenge. Bhatt and his colleagues had to ensure that the USB would be cost-effective. This goal was achieved by placing the more expensive components in the computer, while devices like mice and keyboards contained only simple, inexpensive chips. This strategic decision facilitated widespread adoption because it lowered the overall cost of peripherals.
Despite initial resistance from major players like Apple, which had its own FireWire technology, the practicality and efficiency of USB eventually won out. Apple’s iMac, released in 1998, was one of the first major products to feature USB exclusively, marking a significant turning point in the technology’s acceptance.
Since its introduction, the USB has undergone several iterations, each enhancing its speed and functionality. The original USB 1.0, which could transfer data at 1.5 Mbps, evolved into USB 2.0 in 2000 with a significant speed boost to 480 Mbps. Later versions, like USB 3.0 and USB-C, have further increased data transfer rates and power delivery capabilities, making USB the backbone of modern computer connectivity.
Today, the USB is ubiquitous, found in almost every computer and electronic device, from simple flash drives to complex external hard drives and peripherals. Bhatt’s vision of a universal connector has largely been realized, simplifying connectivity for users around the world.
First-hand accounts from the development period highlight the collaborative and often challenging nature of creating a new industry standard. One such account comes from Jim Pappas, an Intel colleague of Bhatt, who recounted the critical phone call from Microsoft that influenced the decision to support multiple speeds within the USB standard. This adaptability was crucial in meeting various technological needs without significantly raising costs.
Bhatt’s reflections on the project reveal his satisfaction with the USB’s success, driven by the initial simple desire to make everyday tasks easier for users. Despite not profiting directly from the invention, Bhatt’s contribution has had a lasting impact, streamlining technology and improving usability for millions of people worldwide.
Ajay Bhatt’s work on the USB exemplifies how innovative thinking and industry collaboration can overcome significant technological hurdles to create something transformative. The USB’s development story is not just about technical achievement but also about understanding user needs and fostering cooperation across the industry to bring about a universal solution.
