Niraj Dubey
singer2671@gmail.com
The history of codes used for product design-specifically for identification, tracking, and logistics-evolved from simple, manual markings into complex digital systems designed to improve efficiency, accuracy, and data capacity.
Key milestones include the invention of the linear barcode in the 1940s, the adoption of the Universal Product Code (UPC) in the 1970s, and the rise of 2D–QR codes in the 1990s. The QR code story began in 1994 at Japan’s Denso Wave (a car parts manufacturer) by Masahiro Hara and his team, seeking faster inventory tracking than slow, limited-capacity barcodes; INSPIRED BY THE GAME GO, they developed a two-dimensional matrix code that stored more data (including Japanese characters) and could be scanned quickly from any angle, becoming a universal tool for everything from product tracking to contactless payments. In 1992, Masahiro Hara, who was engaged in the development of barcode scanners and optical character recognition (OCR) devices at Denso, was asked by manufacturing sites to develop barcode scanners that could read barcodes more quickly. Initially, Masahiro Hara tried to respond to the demands from the field by improving barcode scanners; however, he began feeling the limitations of the barcode system. Furthermore, just at that moment, since products were increasingly downsized, creating a code that could be printed in a smaller area was required. We will develop a compact code that can store more information, including kanji and kana characters, and at the same time can be read at higher speed.”
Hara determined to develop a new code system. In 1994, there was an event that totally changed the concept of code reading, that is, the advent of the QR–Code system. It was developed by engineers working for DENSO WAVE — (a Toyota subsidiary). In the case of barcodes, information can be coded only in the transverse direction (one dimension), while in the case of 2D codes, information can be coded in both the transverse and longitudinal directions (two dimensions). After a year and a half from the start of the development project, as a result of much trial and error, the QR Code system, capable of storing approximately 7,000 figures with the additional capability to code Kanji characters, was successfully developed. This code can store a large quantity of information and at the same time can be read at more than 10 times the speed of other codes. QR -Code technology was invented and used to label automotive parts. This technology helped automotive companies track and store car parts organized and systematically. Since launching the QR –Code system in 1994, DENSO WAVE has continued evolving it in order to meet social needs. QR Code are now being used not only in manufacturing industry, the initially targeted field, but also for various uses, including on tickets and advertisements.
Global Adoption & Modern Use
The technology was made publicly available, enabling its widespread growth. Hara and Denso Wave foresaw the future of QR Codes in other industrial settings, but they didn’t anticipate its popularity amongst small businesses and ordinary individuals. Codes were adopted globally, especially with the rise of smartphones and the inclusion of native scanners in mobile operating systems (iOS/Android) around 2017.
The 2020 QR boom
QR codes grew at a steady pace through the 2010s, “Smartphone cameras made QR codes accessible to everyone, leading to explosive use during the COVID-19 pandemic for contactless menus and payments, but boomed exponentially when the 2020 COVID-19 pandemic hit. Suddenly, the entire world sought quick and easy ways function without physical contact. Today, QR codes are ubiquitous, linking the physical world to digital information for diverse applications. QR codes were the perfect solution. The codes are free, easy to make, and easy to maintain. Almost everyone carries a phone with QR scanning capabilities. You could dine at restaurants and bars without touching a menu that’s been touched by other people, reducing the spread of germs. You could pay for items without touching cash or pushing buttons on a card reader. Some restaurants have even chosen to keep QR menus to avoid printing and upkeep costs. They also can update items on the spot as needed. While the pandemic winds down and isn’t the health concern it was a few years ago, we’ve become used to a contactless world and QR codes are here to stay. Today, QR codes are everywhere, thanks to the proliferation of smartphones in every segment of society. To make monetary transactions, check menus, or access an event, the only thing we all need to do-scanning those black-and-white pixelated squares-voila! We are done! Surely, QR codes make our daily lives easy and convenient. Although the technology looks simply, it has a rich history intertwined with phases of development, challenges, and refinement.
QR Codes in Today Digital World
QR codes are now integral part to our digital world. Today, we see them everywhere, from small grocery shops to luxury shops at big malls. Many people, especially the tech-savvy, stop carrying cash in their wallets. They prefer digital payment and can easily access their digital wallets. With a series of innovations and the availability of different solutions, QR codes are no longer limited to payment. Today, businesses and professional individuals use this flexible tool for marketing and promotion, allowing customers or clients easy access to a large amount of information. QR technology is widely used in the event management, logistics, restaurants, and education sectors to manage entries, track shipping, check digital menus, and share study materials with students. With just a scan, a smartphone user can share his or her digital business cards quickly and easily, boosting networking at trade fairs or business events. QR–code customization is easy using a combination of different designs, colors, and shapes. Enterprises often create brand-specific QR codes using the brand logo and images. From product packaging to billboards, we’ve seen different brands use unique QR codes to boost their brand image and reputation. The author would like to conclude this write-up by quoting the, “The speech of Sudha Murthy, nominated (Member of Rajya Sabha) in December 2025, called on the Indian government to introduce a dedicated national award line for social innovators, emphasizing that those creating practical solutions for daily life deserve recognition similar to technical pioneers. She highlighted examples like the QR code inventor, (Masahiro Hara, who invented the QR code), earned no direct royalties from his invention because he and the company who chose not to patent his innovation, enabling it to become freely available worldwide. His focus was on industrial, open-source adoption rather than personal profit, meaning he did not become a billionaire from the technology.
(The author is Sr. Faculty – GCET Jammu)
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