Wireless LANs are based on spread spectrum technology, initially developed for military communications by the U.S. Army during World War II. Military technicians considered spread spectrum desirable because it was more resistant to jamming. Other advances at this time allowed an increase in the radio data rate. After 1945, commercial enterprises began to expand on this technology, realizing its potential benefits to consumers.
Spread spectrum technology evolved into the beginnings of the modern wireless LAN in 1971 with a University of Hawaii project called AlohNet. This project allowed seven computers around the various islands to communicate bidirectionally with a central hub on Oahu.
The university research on AlohNet paved the way for the first generation of modern wireless networking gear, which operated at the 901-928 MHz frequency range. Primarily used by the military, this phase of wireless development saw only limited consumer use, due to crowding within this frequency and the relatively low speed.
From this point, the 2.4 GHz frequency was defined for unlicensed use, so wireless technology began to emerge in this range and the 802.11 specification was established. This specification evolved into the widely accepted 802.11b standard, and continues to evolve into faster, more secure implementations of the technology.