The barcode, a set of black and white lines that look like a secret code, celebrates its 50th anniversary this year. While its design may seem simple, its impact on society has been monumental, making it one of the greatest successes in history.
Its birth dates back to the 1960s, a period of great economic expansion and consumption. The need for an effective system to manage inventory and control products in stores was a priority for companies. In this context, the UPC (Universal Product Code) emerged, a standard developed by the IBM company to simplify the process of registering and tracking products.
In 1974, the first barcode was scanned in a grocery store in Ohio. It was a pack of chewing gum, and that moment marked the beginning of a revolution in product management.
The simplicity and efficiency of the barcode became its greatest attraction. Its fast and accurate reading by scanners allowed for much more efficient and precise inventory control, reducing human errors and optimizing the purchasing and sales processes.
The adoption of the bar code was rapid and extensive. From the food industry to the pharmaceutical industry, through the automotive industry and logistics, its use expanded worldwide. Administrations, armies and any sector that required precise control of the movement of products incorporated it into their system.
The success of the bar code was based on its versatility and adaptability. The possibility of encoding a large amount of information in a small space, together with its low cost, made it an indispensable tool.
If you want to control the movement of a product (whatever it is) and the steps it takes through the supply chain, you put a bar code on it and that's it. Its enormous advantage is its simplicity and its very low price, and that it can be scanned easily and very quickly, as we see every time we make any purchase.
Over time, new technologies such as QR codes (Quick Response Code) emerged as alternatives. These two-dimensional codes store a greater amount of information and can be scanned by smartphones. However, the barcode remains relevant, particularly in environments where speed and efficiency are priorities.
The barcode has accompanied us in the development of society. In an increasingly complex and fast-paced world, its simplicity and efficiency remain fundamental. Every time we buy a product in a supermarket, scan a plane ticket or send a package, we are using a barcode, that small and silent innovation that has changed the way we live.
On this anniversary, the barcode is presented as a testament to the human ability to solve problems with simple and effective solutions. Its legacy will endure, adapting to new technologies and needs, and reminding us that innovation can emerge from the most unexpected elements.
Long live the “old” barcode !!!
EN 
ES