• Happy birthday, barcodes!

0 Comments
Happy birthday, barcodes!
DULUTH, Ga.— One of the key components of many retail self-service devices is the barcode scanner, a technology whose 35th birthday occurs this Friday.
 
"It's the wave of the future, and I'm very upbeat on the system." These were the words almost 35 years ago of Virginia Knauer, special assistant for consumer affairs to the President of the United States, when asked about the Universal Product Code (UPC) and the growing interest in retail barcode scanning.

NCR barcode scanner on 1974
NCR barcode scanner today
Then and Now: First retail bar code scanner (above) and modern scanner with NCR SelfServ Checkout (below).
NCR Corp. first demonstrated its scanning system in 1974 to an overflow crowd that attended the Super Market Institute convention to view the then-revolutionary technology. Less than two months later, on June 26, 1974, history was made when a 10-pack of Wrigley's chewing gum became the first product ever scanned in a retail store setting — with an NCR scanner in a checkout lane at a Marsh Supermarket in Troy, Ohio.

NCR and Marsh quickly made headlines in newspapers and trade publications in the U.S., Canada and other countries.

"Throughout its history, Marsh has been a technology leader in the retail industry," said Lee Nicholson, vice president of MIS for Indianapolis-based Marsh Supermarkets, Inc. "When that package of Wrigley's gum moved across the scan window, and a laser beam ‘read' the barcode imprinted on the package, it was the beginning of a new era for retailing."

Indeed, the new system helped revolutionize the world of retailing. Barcode scanning at the point of service soon brought faster checkout for shoppers and gave retailers more information and control over inventory and other areas of store operations. But the revolution didn't stop there.

"That first transaction on an NCR barcode scanner launched a transformation that is still being felt throughout the world of retailing" said Mike Webster, NCR vice president and general manager, retail and hospitality. "It's a world where NCR has helped make shopping easier and faster for consumers with a stream of innovative solutions that we intend to drive well into the future."

Related Content

Reader Comments

Add a Comment

We welcome your thoughtful comments. All comments will display your real name.

Want to participate in the discussion?

Or log in for complete access.

  • Clear
  • Post
Be the first to post a comment for this story.
Products & Services

Digital Signage Installation & Activation

http://global.networldalliance.com/new/images/products/4091.png

4091/Digital-Signage-Installation-Activation

LG M3704CCBA - 37" class (37.0" measured diagonally)

http://global.networldalliance.com/new/images/products/4316.png

4316/LG-M3704CCBA-37-class-37-0-measured-diagonally

Card Reader-Writer, ICT3Q8 series

http://global.networldalliance.com/new/images/products/ICT3Q8_3A0260_100.gif

2930/Card-Reader-Writer-ICT3Q8-series

KioWare Lite - Kiosk Mode Software

http://global.networldalliance.com/new/images/products/4949.png

4949/KioWare-Lite-Kiosk-Mode-Software

Retail Solutions

http://global.networldalliance.com/new/images/products/4299.png

4299/Retail-Solutions

Acquire Premier Editor Suite

http://global.networldalliance.com/new/images/products/4067.png

4067/Acquire-Premier-Editor-Suite

Security Solutions

http://global.networldalliance.com/new/images/products/4303.png

4303/Security-Solutions

Outdoor Encrypting Pin Pad - INT1315-4220

http://global.networldalliance.com/new/images/products/SagemINT1315_4510.gif

2317/Outdoor-Encrypting-Pin-Pad-INT1315-4220

Financial Self-Service Solutions

http://global.networldalliance.com/new/images/products/4301.png

4301/Financial-Self-Service-Solutions

Kiosk Repair | Diebold Premier Services

http://global.networldalliance.com/new/images/products/Diebold_kiosk.jpg

2516/Kiosk-Repair-Diebold-Premier-Services

Customer Experience Technology Buyer
Self-Service Future Trends 2011
Request Information From Suppliers
Save time looking for suppliers. Complete this form to submit a Request for Information to our entire network of partners.