How were barcodes invented?

Barcode technology was first patented in 1949, but engineers came up with the UPC code in the 1970s to meet the need for better efficiency in grocery stores.

The story of the barcode didn't start in the supermarket, but actually began in 1949. Two inventors, Norman Joseph Woodland and Bernard Silver, filed a patent for a product sorting system based on concentric circles – an early version of the barcode they called a bullseye. The idea came to Woodland when he accidentally traced lines in the sand at the beach and realized that the lines could represent data like Morse code.

Barcodes are commonly found on products.

However, the invention was plagued by technical problems. The system required a powerful 500-watt light source and a special conversion tube, which made it complicated and difficult to use. Jordan Frith, a professor of communications at Clemson University, said Woodland's system was ahead of its time, requiring conditions that were not available at the time.

In addition to the bullseye code, there have been other attempts at creating product scanning systems. In 1967, the KarTrak system was introduced to identify and track freight on trains. Although KarTrak used colored bar codes scanned by lasers, it failed because it was incompatible with computer systems and was affected by inclement weather, making the codes difficult to read.

In 1969, IBM became interested in developing a more efficient product identification system. Paul V. McEnroe, who headed the barcode development team, was tasked with finding an innovative solution without the pressure of early profits. Along with marketing expert Sarkis Zartarian and engineer Mort Powell, McEnroe proposed that IBM enter the sales industry.

Barcodes are used in many fields.

McEnroe's team quickly went into development and recruited talented engineers from many different fields. One of the most important members of the team was George Laurer, who demonstrated that Woodland's bulls-eye code would not meet long-term needs due to space constraints and printing accuracy. Instead, Laurer developed a simple linear barcode design with parallel bars that could be scanned in any direction.

While the IBM team was developing the UPC barcode, a competition was held in 1972 by the National Association of Food Chains (NAFC) to find the best product identification system. IBM submitted a UPC barcode design, competing with six other companies, including Woodland's original bulls-eye code. Ultimately, IBM's design won due to its feasibility and efficiency, marking a major turning point in the birth of the UPC code.

During this process, Woodland also contributed significantly to IBM's success. He, who had invented the bull's eye code , joined the IBM research team and provided full support to improve the UPC code, giving IBM a great advantage in the competition. With tireless efforts, McEnroe's team convinced NAFC to choose their barcode as the common standard.

Barcodes have changed the way we interact with the world.

After the UPC code was approved, IBM developed the hardware and software to support scanning. However, implementation was not easy. Some stores refused to adopt barcodes for fear of losing employees' jobs. Some people had health concerns about using laser scanners, and the IBM team hired a testing company to ensure the scanners were harmless.

Carol Tucker-Foreman, director of the Consumer Federation of America, has spearheaded a campaign against barcodes, arguing that UPC codes eliminate price transparency. She says that by eliminating individual price tags, consumers lose the ability to compare prices. States like New York and California have even passed laws requiring price labels on every product.

Despite the opposition, barcodes gradually gained acceptance due to their cost-effectiveness and accuracy in inventory management. By the early 1980s, UPC codes began to be adopted by many large grocery stores, and by 1989, barcodes were used in more than half of all U.S. sales.

Barcodes are still gaining recognition for their superior benefits in terms of cost and accuracy in warehouse management.

Although the UPC barcode was a team effort, Paul McEnroe believes that George Laurer deserves the most credit. Laurer was inducted into the Engineering Innovation Hall of Fame for his contributions at the end of his life. Surprisingly, no one on the IBM team became rich from the barcode because they all agreed to relinquish ownership of it and put it into the public domain. This was a humanitarian decision that helped make the barcode a universal tool for everyone.

Today, barcodes are used not only in retail but also in other industries such as healthcare, transportation, and even on rovers on Mars. From a beach invention to a global management tool, barcodes have changed the way we interact with the world , optimizing efficiency and supporting businesses in their growth.

The barcode is more than just a technology, it is a testament to innovation and the power of science to turn ideas into reality. Its popularity has become a symbol of a connected, transparent, and ever-evolving economy.