This hue is inspired by the deep royal blue of the infamous Windows error screen, better known as the Blue Screen of Death (BSoD). First appearing in Windows 95 in 1995, this particular shade was chosen for its strong contrast with white error text, making system messages easier to read during crashes. While Microsoft switched to a lighter cerulean blue in 2012 with Windows 8, the original royal blue remains to this day the most recognizable version. Over time, the screen itself became iconic—frustrating for users, but instantly recognizable across generations of PCs. The deep royal blue has since become a cultural symbol of computer failure, dreaded by tech novices and veterans alike.