Ajay Bhatt: The Indian who invented USB

Back in 1992, Ajay Bhatt, an Intel employee and a father, felt irritated at how difficult it was to print anything for his kid. His wife called him up at work to ask for directions on printing school documents. Why couldn’t multiple devices be plugged into the same place on the computer? And that is the back story behind one of the most popular inventions in the world of digital goods today: the USB or Universal Serial Bus.  

USB drives and USB devices and ISB ports need no introduction. But, what about the man who made such a difference to our lives? Today, we are going to learn more about Ajay Bhatt.  

How did Intel react to Bhatt’s invention?  
Bhatt had started working with his team on the idea of the USB in 1992. By 1996, their first set of products was ready. Though the device solved the problem of connecting various gadgets to the computer down one single type of port, the idea was hard to sell. Even the management at Intel did not initially like it. But Ajay was already an important man, given that he headed the company’s Client Computing Group. So he fine-tuned his product till Intel was happy.  

Why does Intel not own the USB?  
A valid question, given that the USB is made and used by any manufacturer anywhere. Ajay already had 31 patents when he created the USB. But he did not patent this one. The first reason was that it was a collaborative product with help from many other employees, including companies who used and reviewed it. Secondly, he knew the power of the product, and therefore, the futility of trying to own it. Rather he wanted everyone to use it as thoroughly as possible. And that’s exactly what happened.  

How did Ajay Bhatt become famous?  
Despite being the co-inventor of USB, Ajay Bhatt became a recognizable face among the masses only after a TV ad for Intel in 2009. He was portrayed as a celeb employee in it, with other employees behaving like star-struck fans as he walked into the Intel cafeteria. The punch line said, ‘Our rock stars are not like your rock stars’. After the immense popularity of this ad, Ajay Bhatt became a household name and an actual celebrity.