The term “UPC” is kind of synonymous with the term “barcode”. Here’s an interesting article we kind of missed previously on IBM’s site, about how the original barcode was developed. Interesting tidbits:
- First use of a barcode: The inaugural use of a UPC was on June 26, 1974, at a Marsh’s Supermarket in Troy, Ohio. The item scanned was a humble 67-cent pack of Wrigley’s Juicy Fruit gum.
- Checkout Efficiency: With the adoption of barcodes, checkout lines experienced a remarkable 40% increase in speed.
- Invention Process: Inventor Joseph Woodland’s “aha” moment struck while he idly ran his fingers through the sand, leading him to envision the barcode’s distinctive lines.
Give the full article a read here: https://www.ibm.com/history/upc