Orginally posted on the National Day Calendar.
National Barcode Day commemorates more than 40 years of efficiency and accuracy that began on June 26, 1974, when a clerk scanned a 10-pack of Wrigley’s Juicy Fruit gum at a Marsh supermarket in Troy, OH. On that day, the barcode system invented by George Lauer, an IBM engineer, began to change the world.
Since then, barcodes have been revolutionizing industries all over the world. Barcodes, also known as UPC, 1 Dimensional (1D) codes, contain data that help businesses and organizations do their jobs more easily. A more modern version of the barcode is called a QR code, or a 2 dimensional (2D) code. The QR code contains even more data than the 1D code.
Barcodes contain a wealth of information, including pricing, product, dates, manufacturer, and shipping. They are ideal for tracking inventory and sales, but they do so much more than that. Almost every industry uses barcodes, and they likely make your life easier without you even knowing it. Where can you find barcodes besides retail products?
- VINs – Tracking a car’s history became easier when a barcode was added to the VIN.
- Libraries – Barcodes track books, videos, periodicals, resources in and out of the library.
- Logistics – Every major shipper uses barcodes to track shipments and deliver your orders.
- Healthcare – Barcodes help keep patient care more streamlined and records at the provider’s fingertips.
- Agriculture – Farmers use barcodes to track harvests and livestock.
Imagine how different our lives would be without these unobtrusive black and white bars and that satisfying beep every time we scan a product, delivery, or file. It is certainly a technology that will be around for a long time, simplifying our lives. That’s another reason to celebrate National Barcode Day!
HOW TO OBSERVE #NationalBarcodeDay
Can you imagine getting through your day without using a barcode? Would you want to? Celebrate the barcode’s birthday! National Barcode Day encourages you to take notice of the barcodes that make your life easier. Host a barcode birthday party and include everyone all along your supply chain and in every industry. When you celebrate, share the history, design, and progress of the barcode, too.
Follow the celebration using #NationalBarcodeDay on social media.
more fun for this month
- Celebrate Innovation – This June, join us as we celebrate the barcode and all the people who continue to push the edge of mobile data capture. Check out all the events!
- Donate to ALAN – ALAN saves lives and reduces suffering for disaster survivors in the United States by engaging the industry to supplement non-profit organizations’ logistics capabilities.
- Learn the History – Barcodes are everywhere...but where did they come from? Check out this timeline of the milestones of this world-changing technology.
- Award an Innovator – Download the image via the link & tag an innovator on your preferred social platform. It works best on Linkedin, Twitter, or Facebook. All Innovators will be awarded a geeky new t-shirt!
- Download New Wallpapers – Our new wallpapers and backgrounds are inspired by the first barcode ever scanned on a pack of Wrigley's Juicy Fruit gum! Download the new set of backgrounds to use on your Microsoft Teams or Zoom calls.
- Share Our GIFS! – Search "SupplyChainGeek" in Microsoft Teams, Twitter, or Instagram Stories for fun gifs!
NATIONAL BARCODE DAY HISTORY
Barcoding, Inc., Datalogic, and ScanSource founded National Barcode Day on June 26, 2021, to celebrate the birthday of the barcode, the innovative technology that has been transforming our world for over four decades.
In 2021, the Registrar at National Day Calendar proclaimed National Barcode Day to be observed on June 26th, annually.
About Barcoding, Inc.
Barcoding is a supply chain automation and innovation company that helps organizations be more efficient, accurate, and connected. With extensive subject matter expertise in data capture, labeling and printing, and mobile computing, we are trusted to build and manage solutions for some of the best IT and operations teams in the world. Founded in 1998, Barcoding is headquartered in Baltimore, Md., with offices across North America (Chicago, Houston, Seattle, Montreal, Toronto, and Vancouver). For more information, visit www.barcoding.com.
About Datalogic:
Datalogic is a global technology leader in the automatic data capture and factory automation markets specialized in the designing and production of bar code readers, mobile computers, sensors for detection, measurement and safety, RFID, vision, and laser marking systems. Closeness and timely response to every customer requirement, together with continuous innovation and high-quality offering, are the distinctive elements at the base of Datalogic success for over 40 years. Its cutting-edge solutions help to increase the efficiency and quality of processes in the Retail, Manufacturing, Transportation & Logistics and Healthcare industries. Visit www.datalogic.com to learn more.
About ScanSource, Inc.
ScanSource, Inc. (NASDAQ: SCSC) is at the center of the technology solution delivery channel, connecting businesses and providing solutions for their complex needs. ScanSource sells through multiple, specialized routes-to-market with digital, physical and services offerings from the world’s leading suppliers of point-of-sale (POS), payments, barcode, physical security, unified communications and collaboration, telecom and cloud services. ScanSource enables its sales partners to create, deliver and manage solutions for end-customers across almost every vertical market. Founded in 1992 and headquartered in Greenville, South Carolina, ScanSource has been named one of the Best Places to Work in South Carolina for six consecutive years and is on FORTUNE magazine’s 2021 list of World’s Most Admired Companies. ScanSource ranks #654 on the Fortune 1000. For more information, visit www.scansource.com.
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