In the early days of Ethernet networking, the cables were not a rainbow of colors as they are today, but a distinct shade of yellow, specifically "1968 Corvette yellow." This choice was driven by two primary factors: the personal preference of one of Ethernet's creators and a critical safety consideration during installation.
Rich Seifert, one of the architects of the Ethernet specification, openly admitted his fondness for the color yellow. He mentioned in a presentation that it was his favorite color, influencing his choice for the network cables. This aesthetic preference, however, was secondary to a more practical concern.
Installation Safety
Early Ethernet networks utilized a bulky coaxial cable, a stark contrast to the smaller twisted-pair cables common today. The installation process involved a "vampire tap" that physically pierced the cable's shielding to make a connection. Seifert and his colleagues were concerned about the potential for accidental electrocution if installers mistakenly used these taps on power cables instead of Ethernet cables. To mitigate this risk, Seifert insisted on a bright, distinctive yellow color for Ethernet cables, making them easily distinguishable from other wiring, particularly power cords, in crowded ceiling spaces.
While Seifert's preference for yellow might have initially seemed arbitrary, its role in preventing potentially dangerous installation errors highlights a significant design consideration. The specification's foresight extended beyond color choice; the original Ethernet standard boasted a 10 megabit per second capacity, a speed that would take years for computers to fully utilize. The hardware required for this early Ethernet was substantial, necessitating large circuit boards and consuming a considerable amount of power, around 60 watts. In comparison, modern devices like the Raspberry Pi 5, which includes integrated Ethernet, operate on significantly less power.