From student in Twente to tech pioneer
In 1975, Cees Links started studying Electrical Engineering at the Technische Hogeschool Twente, the predecessor of today’s University of Twente. After finishing his bachelor’s degree, he decided to continue his education by pursuing a master’s degree in Applied Mathematics, which he completed in 1982. This mix of technical and mathematical knowledge laid the foundation for what would later become a global revolution.
After graduating, Links started his career in the technology industry. By the late 1980s, he joined NCR Computers in Nieuwegein. There, he led a team working on a groundbreaking concept: wireless networks. It was there that Wi-Fi was born.
The first wireless network connection
Sometimes, the best ideas emerge from the most ordinary moments. The same was true for Wi-Fi. During a late-night brainstorming session at a fast-food restaurant, one simple but powerful question sparked the revolution: "If we can have cordless phones, why not wireless computers?"
That idea stuck. Links and his team began experimenting with wireless networks. They developed a system that allowed computers to communicate without a physical connection, and by 1988, the first wireless network connection was established.
It worked. But that didn’t mean the world was ready for it.
A brilliant idea that no one wanted—until Steve Jobs called
Even though the technology was ready, most companies failed to see its potential. "Too expensive, too complex, too unreliable"—were the standard responses. But Links refused to give up. He describes himself as a "stubborn, persistent innovator", and that mindset proved essential. To convince sceptics, he even had his wife sew a special inner pocket into his blazer so he could carry his laptop everywhere. In every meeting, he demonstrated how wireless internet worked. But no matter how many times he showcased it, the major tech companies weren’t interested.
Then, Steve Jobs called...
The meeting with Apple
In the late 1990s, Links received a phone call from Apple: "Can you come to Palo Alto on Monday to meet with Steve Jobs?" Links flew to Cupertino, Apple’s headquarters, to pitch his idea. Jobs immediately understood the power of wireless internet. While other companies hesitated, he saw the future. Jobs set one condition: the technology had to meet specific strict technical requirements. Only then would Apple integrate Wi-Fi into their iBook laptops.
In 1999, the moment finally arrived. During a keynote presentation, Steve Jobs opened an iBook on stage and effortlessly connected to the internet—without cables. That was the moment the world became convinced.
Michael Dell, the CEO of Dell, watched in frustration. He had the same opportunity but failed to seize it. Apple made Wi-Fi famous.
How Wi-Fi took over the world
From that moment, things moved quickly. Wi-Fi became the global standard for wireless connectivity. Governments, tech companies, and consumers quickly recognised its potential. Internet without cables became the new normal. Whether at home, in the office, or on the go—Wi-Fi made connectivity simpler and more accessible than ever before. It transformed the way we work, study, and communicate.
The name "Wi-Fi" was created by Links’ wife. Initially, it stood for Wireless Fidelity, a playful reference to Hi-Fi (High Fidelity). Over time, however, the term evolved into a universal name for wireless internet.
Today, Wi-Fi is everywhere—in homes, schools, offices, trains, and even aeroplanes. It has become an essential part of modern life. And it all started with one determined engineer from Twente who refused to give up.
The dream of every engineer
In 2017, Links received the prestigious Golden Mousetrap Lifetime Achievement Award for his contribution to technological progress. But what matters even more? Billions of people now use his invention every day. "The fact that everyone now uses Wi-Fi is the dream of every engineer," says Links.
His story proves that innovation isn’t just about having a great idea—it’s about curiosity, perseverance, and the courage to think differently.
And who knows? Maybe there’s a student at the University of Twente right now with a revolutionary idea—one that, just like Wi-Fi, will change the world!
