Barcode birthday

April 3, Wednesday

The birthday of the barcode is celebrated on April 3 and is dedicated to the anniversary of receiving a patent for an invention that has become an integral part of modern trade, logistics and data management. The barcode, first patented in 1952, transformed the way goods are identified and tracked, making processes faster and more efficient.

History of the barcode
Idea and patent. Norman Joseph Woodland and Bernard Silver are considered to be the inventors of the barcode. Their idea was born in 1948, when they were looking for a way to automate cash registers in supermarkets. In 1952, they received a patent for the technology of automatic reading of information using bars and spaces of different widths.

First use. Despite receiving a patent in 1952, the widespread use of barcodes did not begin until the 1970s, when scanning and computer data processing technologies became more accessible. The first product scanned using a barcode was a pack of Wrigley's chewing gum, which occurred on June 26, 1974, in a supermarket in Ohio, USA.

The Significance of the Invention
The barcode has revolutionized various industries:

Retail. Speeding up the customer service process, reducing errors in calculations, and improving inventory management.

Logistics. Accurately tracking goods, reducing losses, and optimizing warehouse operations.

Healthcare. Using barcodes on medical products and equipment to improve safety and efficiency.

Industry. Automating production and improving quality control.

Interesting Facts
Barcodes come in different types, including linear and two-dimensional (for example, QR codes).

QR codes, which appeared in 1994, are capable of storing significantly more information than traditional linear barcodes.

Barcode birthday – days left: 100. Create Countdown to Event

Barcode birthday in other years

2021 April 3, Saturday
2022 April 3, Sunday
2023 April 3, Monday
2025 April 3, Thursday

Barcode birthday in other countries