From WWII Invention to WiFi 7: The Evolution of Wireless Technology

From its inception to where it is now, no one could have predicted the role WiFi would play in our societal growth. With simple radio frequency hops at its foundation, to the adjustments for multiple device connectivity, wireless technology is ever-essential for everything that keeps us going. In this blog article, we examine how WiFi has grown into the giant it is today. From the beginning to now, WiFi technology has adapted to the needs of the time.

Where it all started

Hedy Lamarr: the “Mother of WiFi”

Famous actress and part-time inventor Hedy Lamarr pioneered the technology that would one day be the basis for today’s WiFi, GPS, and Bluetooth communication systems. Always curious about making machines better, Lamarr's early inventions included upgrading spotlights and developing a tablet that dissolved in water to make a soda similar to Coca-Cola. However, her biggest invention came during the time America entered WWII. Interested in assisting the war efforts, Lamarr wanted to develop military technology.

The technology involved “frequency hopping” amongst radio waves, like the ones used in microwaves at the time, with both transmitter and receiver hopping to new frequencies, allowing torpedoes to find their intended targets with more precision.

She was awarded a patent in 1942, even though it ended up not being implemented by the Navy at the time. It wasn’t until 1997 that Lamarr and her associate were recognised by the public for their contribution to this new technology, as the ISM Band (created for the exclusive use of industrial, scientific, and medical radio frequencies) was widely being used—which we now know to be the 2.4GHz frequency.

The Rise of WiFi

1997: Standardisation of WiFi

In 1997, the first WiFi standard was developed by the Institute of Electrical and Electronics Engineers, from which the name IEEE 802.11 derives. This standard allowed for the transfer of data at 1Mbps.

1999: The emergence of WiFi Alliance

In 1999, the introduction of IEEE 802.11b (or WiFi 1) brought 11Mbps of speed and operated on the 2.4GHz bandwidth. This seems very slow by today’s standards, but at the time there were no WiFi-enabled mobile devices and very few laptops, so this speed was sufficient.

As this new technology came to light, the Wi-Fi Alliance formed. They are a global non-profit industry association with around 800 member companies that research and develop WLAN technologies. Some of the companies that support this association include Apple, Cisco Systems, Intel, Microsoft, and others. They drive WiFi adoption and evolution globally with industry-wide collaboration, leadership, and advocacy to deliver WiFi users security, interoperability, and reliability. The goal of the WiFi Alliance was to enhance this original standard with higher data rates and faster speeds.

The WiFi Alliance came up with the name WiFi as a commercial brand and created the simplified names that would later come (WiFi 4, WiFi 5, WiFi 6, etc.) to allow everyday users to familiarise themselves with the different WiFi standards.

1999: Steve Jobs runs a hula-hoop through a laptop

That same year, Apple presented the first-ever WiFi-enabled laptop, the iBook. Steve Jobs demonstrated the wireless nature of the device by famously running a hula-hoop through it on stage. The iBook cost US$1,599 (equivalent to $2,484 in 2020). Original video of that moment here:

2002: Technological improvements with each generation

By 2002, WiFi speeds were already up to 54Mbps on the 2.4GHz frequency band, with the introduction of 802.11a (WiFi 2) and 802.11g (WiFi 3). This was in response to the growing adoption of WiFi-enabled laptops and mobile devices.

In 2009, WiFi 802.11n (WiFi 4) was developed following the introduction of the Apple iPhone and other smartphones, allowing the possibility of connectivity for multiple devices without compromising speeds. It added simultaneous 2.4GHz and 5GHz bands with speeds of up to 600Mbps (theoretically 4 × 150Mbps per antenna).

Smartphones: The Game Changers

Impact of smartphone generalisation and multiplication of devices per capita

The introduction of smartphones and multiple WiFi-enabled devices forced WiFi technology to leap forward, moving us into the modern era from single-input single-output (SISO) radios to multiple-input multiple-output (MIMO) radios.

In 2013, WiFi 802.11ac (WiFi 5) debuted, designed for dual-band connectivity and offering theoretical speeds of up to 3.5Gbps. While this standard became widely adopted, it has since been phased out in favour of newer technologies like WiFi 6 and 7.

WiFi today

What’s up with WiFi 7?

As of 2025, WiFi 7 (IEEE 802.11be) is the most advanced standard available, representing a major leap forward in speed, reliability, and performance. With theoretical speeds of up to 40Gbps, WiFi 7 enables seamless support for 4K/8K video streaming, AR/VR experiences, and cloud-based collaboration.

WiFi 7 introduces key technologies such as Multi-Link Operation (MLO), which allows devices to connect across multiple frequency bands at once—minimising latency and improving resilience. It also supports wider 320MHz channels and 4096-QAM modulation, enabling much greater data throughput.

This is particularly beneficial for business settings, where uninterrupted, high-speed connectivity is critical. Hotels can offer guests seamless digital experiences in every room and common area. Retailers benefit from flawless performance for POS systems, mobile checkout, and digital signage. Warehouses can optimise logistics operations with consistent connectivity for scanners, inventory systems, and robotics. Meanwhile, offices can support hybrid work environments, video conferencing, and IoT ecosystems—all with reduced latency and greater efficiency.

A look back at WiFi 6 and 6E

Although WiFi 7 is the current benchmark, it's worth remembering how WiFi 6 and WiFi 6E laid the foundation for today’s wireless landscape.

WiFi 6 (802.11ax), certified in 2019, brought theoretical bandwidths of up to 9.6Gbps. Its strengths included better performance in dense environments, support for more IoT devices, and energy-saving features like Target Wake Time—critical for reducing energy consumption in smart devices and access points.

WiFi 6E expanded on this by introducing a third frequency band—6GHz—alongside 2.4GHz and 5GHz. This tripled the available spectrum, reduced congestion, and delivered faster connections, especially in environments with many devices.

Together, WiFi 6 and 6E bridged the gap between early high-speed networks and the ultra-fast systems we rely on today.

To understand the impact of adding a third frequency band, let’s look at daily radio frequencies around us. The frequency of a wave, expressed in Hertz (Hz), defines the number of oscillations per second. For example: 1Hz = 1 oscillation per second; 5GHz = 5 billion oscillations per second. The higher the frequency, the greater the data transmission capacity—and therefore, the higher the bit rate.

What standard does your business need?

WiFi standards have evolved in tandem with the growing demands of users—at home, in business, and across industries. Choosing the right WiFi technology is essential for delivering fast, reliable internet to guests, residents, employees, or automated systems.

Read more about choosing WiFi standards here

However, not every business needs the latest WiFi standard to be efficient, but knowing what type of usage your guests, residents, or employees want can make the difference. At Wifirst, we tailor WiFi solutions to your needs and objectives to choose the standard best suited to your business. To do this, start a conversation with one of our representatives now.