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Barcode history

Stories behind the codes.

Source-backed guides for the barcode formats used in packaging, logistics, retail and everyday scanning.

StoryThe history of the QR CodeFrom DENSO manufacturing sites in the 1990s to the small square that now connects printed objects with digital actions.StoryThe history of EAN-13EAN-13 is the retail barcode people expect to see on consumer packaging: a compact line of bars tied to a global product identifier.StoryThe history of Code 128Code 128 is the compact workhorse for shipping labels, inventory IDs and operational barcodes.StoryThe history of Code 39Code 39 is the durable alphanumeric barcode format of badges, assets and older industrial systems.