If you've ever visited a store, you've witnessed barcodes at work. A quick scan at checkout, and just like that, the price pops up on the screen. But have you ever thought about what the first product scanned was?
Answer: On June 26, 1974, the initial commercial product scanned and sold was a 10-pack of Wrigley’s Juicy Fruit gum at Marsh Supermarket in Troy, Ohio. This single scan was the beginning of a global revolution in retail, logistics, and inventory management.
But why chewing gum? And how did we even get to the point where products could be scanned instead of manually entered? Let’s take a deep dive into the history of barcodes, how they changed the world, and what’s next for barcode technology.
Before Barcodes: The Struggle of Retail Checkout
Before barcodes and scanners, every single item in a store needed a price tag, and cashiers had to manually type in each price at checkout. This caused slow checkout lines, human errors, and inventory nightmares.
Problems with manual checkout before barcodes:
- Slow processing – Cashiers had to find and type each price.
- Frequent errors – Misentered prices led to incorrect charges.
- Inventory chaos – Store managers had to shut down operations to manually count stock.
Retailers needed a better system. But how could they create a faster, more accurate way to track products?
The Birth of the Barcode: A Stroke of Genius on a Beach
In 1948, a frustrated supermarket executive approached the Drexel Institute of Technology, asking researchers to find a solution for faster checkout and inventory tracking.
Two grad students, Norman Joseph Woodland and Bernard Silver, accepted the challenge. One day, while sitting on a Miami Beach, Woodland had his “Eureka!” moment.
He drew four dots in the sand, then extended them into long, parallel lines—just like Morse code but stretched out. This was the original idea of a barcode.
- Woodland and Silver filed for a patent on their barcode concept on October 20, 1949, and it was granted on October 7, 1952, under U.S. Patent 2,612,994.
- Their early barcode scanner used a 500-watt light bulb (way too big and expensive).
- The technology wasn't ready yet, and their idea sat unused for decades.
The First Barcode Scanner & The Historic Sale in 1974
Fast forward to the 1970s, and technology finally caught up. George Laurer at IBM developed the Universal Product Code (UPC), the barcode system we still use today.
- In 1973, the Symbol Selection Committee of the Uniform Grocery Product Code Council (UGPCC, later renamed GS1 US) selected the UPC, developed by IBM's George Laurer, as the industry standard barcode.
- NCR Corporation built the first commercial barcode scanner.
- In 1974, Marsh Supermarket in Troy, Ohio, became the first store to install barcode scanning.
Then, history was made!
June 26, 1974 – Cashier Sharon Buchanan scanned a pack of Wrigley’s Juicy Fruit gum, marking it as the first barcode-scanned commercial product.
But why chewing gum?
Because it happened to be the first item purchased in this historic transaction, the 10-pack of Wrigley's Juicy Fruit gum earned its place in barcode history, whether chosen at random or deliberately for the ceremony.
How Barcodes Changed the World
That one small scan in 1974 revolutionized industries worldwide. Today, it's estimated that several billion barcodes are scanned each day globally across retail, healthcare, logistics, and more.
Faster Checkouts
Before barcodes, checkout lines were slow and prone to errors. Now, a quick beep does all the work in milliseconds.
Smarter Inventory Tracking
Retailers can now track stock in real-time, preventing overstocking and shortages.
Beyond Retail: Logistics, Healthcare & More
Barcodes are now used to track packages, hospital patients, airline luggage, and even lab samples.
The Future of Barcode Technology: What’s Next?
From UPC to QR Codes
1D barcodes (like UPC) store basic product details.
2D barcodes (e.g., QR codes) hold more data, such as web links, prices, and product history.
RFID (Radio-Frequency Identification) – The Next Step?
Unlike barcodes, RFID tags don’t need a direct scan—they transmit signals wirelessly.
Retailers like Walmart and Amazon are integrating RFID for faster inventory tracking.
Why Tera Barcode Scanners Are Leading the Future
If barcodes are everywhere, having the right scanner is critical!
For businesses, warehouses, and retail stores, a high-quality barcode scanner makes all the difference.
That’s where Tera barcode scanners come in. Tera is a trusted leader in barcode scanning, offering advanced technology, accuracy, and durability.
Recommended Tera Barcode Scanners:
For reliable and high-performance barcode scanning, here are our top Tera barcode scanners:
Tera HW0009 2D BarCode Scanner: Ideal for high-demand environments, this scanner features a customizable display, superior scanning, and long-lasting 2500mAh battery. It supports Bluetooth, 2.4G wireless, and USB connections.
Tera 8100 Industrial 2D Handheld Barcode Scanner: With extreme drop resistance and dust-proof design, the Tera 8100 excels in reading damaged barcodes. It supports 3-in-1 connections and offers a 35-hour continuous battery life.
Tera D5100 2D BarCode Scanner: Ergonomically designed with a 2000mAh battery, this scanner offers wireless and USB connectivity and vibration/sound alerts. Its anti-shock silicone ensures durability.
Each model is designed for efficiency, durability, and ease of use, making them perfect for businesses in need of reliable barcode scanning solutions. Choose the right one for your needs!
Why Choose Tera?
- High-speed scanning – Reads damaged, faded, and high-density barcodes.
- Durable build – Perfect for warehouses and heavy-use environments.
- Supports multiple barcode types – Including UPC, QR codes, and RFID.
Conclusion: A Simple Scan That Changed Everything
Who knew that a pack of gum could change the world? From that first barcode scan in 1974 to today’s smart tracking systems, barcodes have revolutionized how businesses operate.
The next time you scan an item at checkout, remember—you’re taking part in a technology breakthrough that started with one small pack of gum.
Need a barcode scanner for your business? Check out Tera’s latest scanners for fast, reliable, and future-ready solutions!
FAQs
Were barcodes used on other products before they were scanned in supermarkets?
Yes, barcodes were tested on railroad freight cars before they were used in retail. In the 1960s, a system called KarTrak ACI, largely developed by GTE Sylvania (where David Collins played a key role), used color-coded stripes to track train cars. However, it was not widely adopted long-term due to issues with accuracy, maintenance, and cost.
What other industries quickly adopted barcode technology after supermarkets?
Following the success of barcode scanning in grocery stores, industries like pharmaceuticals, logistics, and airline baggage tracking quickly incorporated barcode technology. By the 1990s, hospitals started using barcodes to track meds and patient records, cutting down errors.
How did barcode technology change inventory management?
Before barcodes, businesses had to manually count and track products, which was time-consuming and prone to errors. Barcodes enabled real-time inventory updates, automated stock reordering, and improved accuracy, helping businesses reduce waste and improve efficiency.
What distinguishes UPC barcodes from other barcode types?
UPC (Universal Product Code) barcodes are one-dimensional (1D) barcodes commonly used for retail products. Other barcode types include QR codes (2D barcodes), which store more information and can be scanned from any direction, and Data Matrix codes, often used in industrial settings.
When did barcode scanners become wireless?
Early barcode scanners were large, stationary devices that required wired connections to computers. Wireless barcode scanners emerged in the 1990s with infrared and radio frequency (RF) technology, allowing workers to scan products without being tethered to a single location.
