Barcode scanner at checkout

Barcode scanner at checkout revolutionized retail by speeding up purchases and reducing human errors since the 1970s.

About this subject

The barcode scanner, invented by Norman Woodland and Bernard Silver in 1949, only became commercially viable in the 1970s. The first product scanned was a pack of Wrigley's gum in an Ohio supermarket in 1974. This device reads parallel bar patterns encoding information like price and manufacturer, allowing cashiers to register items quickly.

The technology relies on light reflection: a laser or LED scans the dark and light bars, converting them into electrical signals decoded by the system. Today, laser and imager-based scanners are common, with the latter able to read 2D codes like QR Codes, storing more data.

In Brazil, barcode standardization was driven by EAN Brazil (now GS1 Brazil) in the 1980s and 1990s. Currently, virtually every item sold in supermarkets, pharmacies, and stores carries a code, and the checkout scanner is ubiquitous. It is estimated that a scanner processes hundreds of items daily, reducing waiting time and typing errors.

Frequently Asked Questions

Who invented the barcode?

It was invented by Norman Woodland and Bernard Silver in 1949, initially inspired by Morse code.

What was the first product whose barcode was scanned at checkout?

A pack of Wrigley's gum, at an Ohio supermarket on June 26, 1974.

Can barcode scanners read QR Codes?

Yes, modern imager-based scanners can read 2D codes like QR Codes and Data Matrix.