1974
50 Years of Barcode Innovation
The invention of Code 39, the most widely used barcode in the world today.
1948 - 1952
The patent for the barcode system and the first barcode was granted. Joseph Woodland and Bernard Silver also created the first version of a barcode reader.
1973
The first barcode printed on retail packaging (the gum package that would be later scanned in 1974)
1977
The first handheld laser scanner with a built-in decoder is created.
1974 - The Invention of Code 39 and The first Barcode Scanning
The invention of Code 39, the most widely used barcode in the world today. The inventors of the first Code 39 barcode were Dr. David Allais and Ray Stevens. They were both researchers working at Intermec Corporation (now Honeywell) in 1974 when they developed the Code 39 symbology. Same year, the industry first UPC (Universal Product Code) barcode scanner introduced. On June 26th, 1974 the first-ever commercial barcode was scanned, in a Marsh supermarket in Troy, Ohio. A pack of Wrigley's Juicy Fruit Gum was the first scanned product.
Source
1988
The World's Smallest Barcodes, tracking honeybees, created by Honeywell for the US Agricultural Dept.
1991
Introduction of the RFID Barcode Printing Technology
1990
The first trigger-less handheld laser scanner is introduced to the market.
1986
Advancement of Direct Thermal Printing
1981
First direct thermal barcode printer introduced. Also introduction of Laser printing for barcodes.
Direct thermal printing technology, which eliminates the need for ribbons or ink cartridges in barcode printing, has been widely adopted in various industries. Datamax-O'Neil and Intermec (now Honeywell) were among the first companies contributing to the advancement of direct thermal printing technology.
Contribution and advancement of Direct Thermal Printing
In 1988, the US Department of Agriculture approaches Honeywell to get help them gather information about the pollination of honeybees. The BeeTag system is developed, utilizing micro-barcode labels attached to individual bees in order to track them and study their behavior.
The World's Smallest Barcodes
Honeywell was part of the development and integration of RFID technology into barcode printing systems, pioneering solutions that combine RFID and barcode printing capabilities for enhanced tracking and inventory management. The RFID Barcode Printing Technology was introduced to the industry in 1991.
Introduction of RFID Barcode Printing
1995
Introduction of the Aztec Code First handheld 2D imager introduced
1993
The first omni-directional handheld laser scanner is created
1999
First barcode scanner with RFID introduced
2007
Honeywell introduces the first near-field/ far-field imager scanner
2003
First battery powered handheld RFID reader and Mobile Computer introduced.
YouTube launched
First iPhone launched
In 2007 Honeywell acquired HHP Hand Held Products, a leading manufacturer of rugged mobile computers and barcode scanners.
2004 Facebook launched
2005
The first laser scan engine utilizing MEMS (Micro-Electro-Mechanical Systems) technology introduced in 2005.
Honeywell introduces the PM Series Industrial Barcode Printers
2000
Amazon.com founded
Forrest Gump released
1994
Honeywell introduces the first omni-directional handheld laser scanner in 1993, allowing barcodes to be scanned from any angle. The Metrologic MS6720, also known as the "Omniwand" or "QuantumT," features a unique design allowing it to scan barcodes from any angle. 1993 is also the year Sprague Ackley (Chief Technologist at Intermec - now Honeywell) s granted the patent for "Automated Apparatus and Method for Object Identification and Object Counting". This represented an innovation in the field of automated object identification and counting, particularly using barcode technology.
The First Omni-directional Handheld Laser Scanner
In 2000, Honeywell first introduces the PM Series Industrial Barcode Printers. These printers feature advanced connectivity options, high-speed printing, and durable construction to meet the demands of industrial environments.
Honeywell PM Series Industrial Printers
In 2007, Honeywell introduces the first near-field/far-field imager scanner. The Honeywell 3800gHD features an advanced imaging system capable of capturing high-quality images of barcodes at both near and long range. The capability of near-field/far-field scanning helps companies become more efficient within barcode scanning workflows.
First Near-field /Far-field Imager Scanner
Honeywell acquired Vocollect, a leading provider of voice-directed warehouse solutions, in May 2011.
2009
First automated mobile document management solution invented.
2011
2013
First wearable solution to integrate voice and hands-free scanning
Introduction of 3D scanning technology for consumer applications
Honeywell acquired Metrologic Instruments, a global provider of barcode scanning and imaging solutions.
2008
In 2013 Honeywell completed the acquisition of Intermec, a provider of rugged mobile computing and data capture solutions and Datamax-O'Neil, a manufacturer of label printing solutions.
In 2013, Vocollect (now part of Honeywell) introduces the first wearable solution to integrate voice and hands-free scanning capabilities. The Talkman A700 integrates voice and scanning in one wearable solution, allowing workers to perform tasks with greater efficiency and accuracy by keeping their hands free and providing voice-guided instructions alongside the ability to scan barcodes.
The Xenon Series Scanners first introduced
Honeywell introduced in 2009 the Xenon 1900 Series, a high-performance area-imaging scanner series. This scanner offered advanced imaging capabilities, including the ability to read 1D and 2D barcodes with high speed and accuracy. The Xenon 1900 Series capabilities set a new standard in the industry.
Honeywell introduces the Xenon Series scanners
2014
QR codes standardized by the International Organization for Standardization (ISO)
QR codes standardized by the International Organization for Standardization (ISO) Introduction of 3D scanning technology for consumer applications
2020
Honeywell introduces products featuring disinfectant-ready housing in response to the Covid-19 pandemic
Covid-19 Pandemic
AI and ML used successfully in Healthcare
2016
Honeywell introduces the Granit Series Industrial Scanners
2018
Adoption of machine learning for document scanning applications
Development of handheld scanners with wireless connectivity
2017
Honeywell introduces the Voyager XP Series Scanners
Introduction of AI algorithms for barcode recognition
2019
Honeywell introduces the FlexRange scanning technology and the Mobility Edge Platform
In 2019 Honeywell introduces FlexRange and Mobility Edge. The FlexRange Technology is an innovative feature incorporated into its barcode scanning solutions, designed to enhance scanning performance and flexibility across varying distances. The Mobility Edge Platform is a unified hardware and software platform designed to streamline the development, deployment, and management of mobile devices, including scanning devices.
FlexRange Scanning Technology and Mobility Edge Platform
Honeywell introduces products featuring disinfectant-ready housing (DRH) in response to the COVID-19 pandemic. As part of efforts to support healthcare workers and medical facilities and address the increased need for cleanliness and hygiene, the range of products is designed with materials that are compatible with frequent disinfection protocols. Honeywell products featuring DRH: barcode scanners, printers, mobile computers, PPE, air purification systems.
Disinfectant-ready Products During the Covid-19 Pandemic
Invisible barcodes developed by Copenhagen researchers
2021
Introduction of handheld scanners with thermal imaging capabilities
Honeywell introduces the Genesis™ 7680g Area-Imaging Scanner
2023
Honeywell incorporates OCR and AR into barcode-decoding software
SpaceX Crewed Mission
ChatGPT and new LLMs available for public use and continuing to advance
LOOKING TOWARDS THE FUTURE
In 2021, Honeywell introduces the Genesis 7680g Area-Imaging Scanner, a versatile scanning solution with omnidirectional scanning capabilities, allowing users to capture barcodes from any angle with ease, improving productivity and customer service.
Introduction of Genesis 7680g Area Imaging Scanner
What do a can of soda, a pair of jeans, and a book have in common? They all have barcodes, those seemingly unnoticeable black-and-white stripes that encode critical information and facilitate data capture, identification, and tracking. But how did barcodes come to be and how have they changed over time? For the 50th anniversary of the barcode, we took a look at its history, the impacts it has made and continues to make on industries worldwide, and what’s in store for its future.
The Barcode Revolution: Past, Present and Future
Read the Barcode Revolution Blog
Honeywell’s SwiftDecoder™ Barcode Decoding Software empowers customers to develop native or hybrid apps to perform barcode decoding and more. SwiftDecoder transforms camera-enabled devices into efficient barcode scanners and offers fast and accurate data and image capture and processing. Beyond the barcode, SwiftDecoder™ offers advanced data capture through imaging as augmented reality (AR) and optical character recognition (OCR) for acquiring and processing data quickly and reliably, even in the most complex workflows.
OCR and AR incorporated into Barcode-Decoding Software
