-
PUNCH CARDS
Punch cards were first developed to help take the 1890 census. A punched card is a piece of stiff paper that contained either commands for controlling automated machinery or data for data processing applications. Both commands and data were represented by the presence or absence of holes in predefined positions. -
THE FIRST LINEAR BARCODE
The concept of the linear bar code was first developed in the mid-thirties. -
THE BEGINNING OF THE CURRENT BAR CODE
This year marked the beginning of the current bar code when two college students, Joseph Woodland and Bernard Silver, overheard a request made to the dean of their school at a local food fair. -
WOODLAND AND SILVER FILE FOR A PATENT.
Woodland and Silver file for a patent describing both the linear and bull’s eye type bar code systems. They also patented what would be necessary have the ability to read the codes. -
UTILIZED BAR CODE TECHNOLOGY
The National Association of Food Chains first utilized bar code technology because they wanted a faster way to check out customers. -
FIRST BAR CODE SCANNER
Europe holds the first Scan Tech convention. Scan Tech is a manufacturer and distributor of bar code products and have been in business since 1979. -
QR CODES
QR codes were registered in Japanese Industrial Standards. The codes were also adopted as the standard two-dimensional symbol. -
AIRLINES - BAR CODES ON BOARDING PASSES
Airlines implement a typical bar code on boarding passes. A few years later the bar code would be updated to include mobile phone symbologies and, in 2009, it was updated additionally to contain a field for digital signatures. Eventually bar codes used in airlines will be updated to the format of near field communications. -
MOBILE PHONES
Mobile phones are equipped with the technology to allow two-dimensional bar codes which can be used as electronic boarding passes. -
QR CODES EVERYWHERE!
QR bar codes are being used almost everywhere. They can be found on websites, signs, and even on decorative items within the home. They can be used by anyone, for any reason, and although it is unknown how long they will be around, they are currently only showing signs of gaining in popularity. In order to read the encoded information contained within a bar code, an individual must have a web-enabled smart phone which has the ability to take photos. The smart phone must also have software instal
