Celebrating 50 Years of the Barcode

Fifty years ago, the first retail barcode was scanned, marking a key moment in computing history. This event will be the launch of a temporary exhibition that explores the story of the barcode, and explains how these iconic black-and-white lines revolutionised how computer systems track physical objects.

Hosted by Orca Scan and Datalogic this is the official launch of an exhibition to mark the 50th anniversary of the first recorded barcode scan.

On June 26th, 1974, the legendary Magellan Model A scanner, developed by Spectra Physics (now part of Datalogic), emblazoned its name in computing history by scanning a 10-pack of Wrigley’s Juicy Fruit gum at a supermarket in Troy, Ohio.

Historic scanners will be on display, along with an explanation of how barcodes have revolutionised how computer systems track physical objects.

Cambridge-based Orca Scan, a one-stop platform for all things barcode, have partnered with Datalogic and the Centre for Computing History to tell the story of the invention of the barcode, how barcodes work, and new barcode innovations to improve healthcare and food labeling.

There’s also a section on how the gaming industry has tried to introduce the barcode as a feature of computing gaming, to varying degrees of success.

Who should attend? Tech & gamers

Venue: Centre for Computing History, Cambridge, CB1 3EW

Book your place today