Stuff You Should Know How Barcodes Work
Jun 4, 2019
Barcodes are ubiquitous, transforming retail and simplifying grocery shopping. Discover their evolution from early resistance to the iconic UPC system, with the first scan of Juicy Fruit Gum in 1974. Delve into how barcodes differ from QR codes and explore technological advancements that enhance shopping experiences. Alongside quirky anecdotes and innovative applications, the discussion even touches on scanner fraud laws and empowering young girls in Kenya, connecting technology with meaningful social change.
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Grocery Store Chaos
- Grocery stores used to be a mess before barcodes.
- Cashiers manually typed in prices, leading to long lines and frequent stockouts.
Barcode Origins
- In the 1940s, a Drexel student, Bob Silver, and his friend Joe Woodland began working on a solution for grocery store inefficiencies.
- Inspired by Morse code on Miami Beach, Woodland created the first UPC symbol, a bullseye design.
Early Barcode Readers
- The first barcode reader was large, expensive, and used a 500-watt bulb which got dangerously hot.
- Lacking a microcomputer to interpret the code, Woodland and Silver sold their patent to RCA.