lowes coupon code and barcode generator free

The Surprising Story Behind Barcodes: Who Created Them and How They Work

When you see a barcode on a product, it seems like a simple, straightforward way to track inventory and keep tabs on what's in stock. But have you ever wondered how this system came to be? In this article, we'll explore the surprising history of barcodes and the company behind them: GS1.

The Early Days

It all started with two scientists, Norman Joseph Woodland and Bernard Silver, who invented the first barcode in 1951. However, it wasn't until the late 1960s that a computer scanner was developed to read these barcodes, making them useful for inventory tracking. For years, individual retailers created their own internal systems for using barcodes, but there was no universally standardized system.

The Birth of GS1

Enter GS1, a private company that was initially known as the Uniform Code Council (UCC). Founded in the 1960s, GS1 aimed to create a simple and powerful system of barcoding. Their solution was a numbering system where every new company would get its own unique barcode numbers for its products. This way, retailers could easily track inventory and know which products were being used.

How It Works

The key to the success of GS1's system is that all UPC barcodes originate from their database. This means that they can keep track of which barcode numbers are being used and which aren't. As long as every new business purchases its UPC barcodes from GS1, the system works beautifully.

Who Owns GS1?

Interestingly, GS1 is owned and operated by some of the biggest retail giants in the world, including Wal-Mart, Kroger's, Home Depot, Lowes, and the Federated Group. Despite being a private company, GS1 doesn't have any affiliation with the government.

In conclusion, barcodes are more than just a simple way to track inventory – they're the result of years of innovation and collaboration by pioneers like Woodland and Silver, as well as the founders of GS1. Today, GS1's system is used by retailers around the world, making it an essential part of modern commerce.

Free Barcode Generator

If you need a barcode for your own products or business, you can use our free barcode generator tool to create one. Simply enter your product information and we'll generate a unique UPC barcode for you. No need to purchase barcodes from GS1 – our tool is completely free and easy to use.

Lowes coupon code and barcode generator free