Wi-Fi's history began with early research on wireless networking and the development of the IEEE 802.11 standard in 1997. The Wi-Fi Alliance formalized the "Wi-Fi" name and trademark in 1999 to standardize the 802.11 products.Major commercial adoption followed, driven by companies like Apple.

Here's a more detailed look:

Early Wireless Networking Research:

• In the 1980s, the FCC released parts of the Industrial, Scientific, and Medical (ISM) bands for unlicensed use, paving the way for wireless communication.
• AT&T and NCR Corporation invented WaveLAN, a precursor to 802.11, in 1991.
• In 1989, a team in Australia started working on wireless LAN technology. 

The IEEE 802.11 Standard:

• The first 802.11 standard was published in 1997, offering up to 2 Mbit/s speeds. 
• Later versions like 802.11b (2.4 GHz) and 802.11a (5 GHz) were developed, further refining the technology. 

The Rise of Wi-Fi:

• The Wi-Fi Alliance (formerly WECA) was formed in 1999 to promote and standardize 802.11 products, introducing the "Wi-Fi" trademark.
• Wi-Fi gained significant traction with the release of the 802.11b standard and its deployment by Apple.