Since barcodes were invented in 1952 by Bernard Silver and Norman Joseph Woodland, the technology has evolved along with digital technology. Today, different types of barcodes track and process all kinds of data. Here’s a quick look at how barcodes work, how to read a barcode, where to look up barcode data, and the different types of barcodes in use today.

Barcodes are used to track information in a variety of industries, particularly in product sales, travel, and food. Here are some examples of how barcodes are used:

Barcodes work by displaying numbers, letters, or special characters with intentionally spaced vertical lines that can be interpreted by a barcode reader or a smartphone with a compatible barcode scanning app. Newer barcode formats, such as QR codes, are square and contain more complex coding that resembles pixel art.

To properly scan a barcode, you need a device that can scan the code and a system that can interpret and read the data.