Short answers, pulled from the story.
Seven major technology companies including Compaq, DEC, IBM, Intel, Microsoft, NEC, and Nortel formed the USB consortium in 1995 to create a single standard for data transfer and power delivery. The team at Intel led by Ajay Bhatt began work on the first integrated circuits supporting this interface in 1995.
The original specifications detailed Standard-A and Standard-B plugs before engineers introduced Mini-USB and Micro-USB variants for mobile devices. In 2014 the USB Implementers Forum introduced USB Type-C as a reversible connector that replaced all legacy types while supporting dual-lane operation.
A transmission frequency of 12.8 GHz translates to a rate just over 40 Gbit/s theoretical maximum for later specifications like USB4 Gen 4. These versions use pulse amplitude modulation on three levels providing trit information every baud transmitted.
USB Power Delivery Rev 3.1 released in May 2021 extends limits to 240 W using 48 V voltage and 5 A current. This latest version incorporates errata through October 2021 including peak current support for EPR AVS APDO.
Attackers can create devices that appear as flash drives but simulate keyboards typing malicious commands when plugged into systems running Microsoft Windows. Another threat involves USB killer devices sending high voltage pulses across data lines destroying whatever they connect to.