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The QR code (short for Quick Response code) was invented in 1994 by Denso Wave, a former subsidiary of Toyota, as a means of efficiently tracking vehicles and parts during the manufacturing process. Although Denso holds the patent to QR codes, it has made the technology freely available for anyone to use, which has contributed to its widespread adoption.
Originally designed for industrial use, QR codes have since evolved into a versatile tool for various purposes. Today, they are commonly used for logging into websites or Wi-Fi networks, sharing contact information, checking out restaurant paperless menus, making mobile payments, and storing digital tickets for planes and trains on your phone.
A QR code consists of a grid of squares, with certain squares designated for positioning (those are the large squares you see in three of the corners). The remaining cells store version and format information, as well as the encoded data, along with error correction coding that ensures the information can still be read even if part of the code is damaged.
The first version of the two-dimensional barcode system was small, measuring just 21 x 21 modules and capable of storing only four characters of data. Today’s largest version (Version 40) spans 177 x 177 modules and can hold up to 1,264 characters of ASCII text or as many as 7,089 numerals, demonstrating the significant increase in storage capacity over time.
Interesting fact: In 2014, Heinz mistakenly shipped ketchup bottles featuring an outdated QR code that directed customers to a porn site instead of the intended promotional site. This incident highlighted the importance of keeping QR codes up to date.