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Today you scan it without thinking about it and as something very natural.
It’s in restaurants, packaging, marketing campaigns, airline tickets, business cards, street advertising and even as a quick payment method…
But have you ever wondered who invented the QR code and why?
In this article we tell you the history of the QR code, how it was born, who created it and why it became one of the most versatile technologies in the digital world.
The QR (Quick Response) code is a type of two-dimensional barcode that can store alphanumeric information quickly and be read from a smartphone or scanner.
Unlike traditional barcodes, the QR can store much more information in a reduced space, and can be scanned from any angle.
This made it ideal for commercial, industrial uses… and today, also for marketing. A clear proof of this is how several digital wallets implemented it as a form of payment, such is the case of BCP’s Yape.
The QR code was developed in 1994 by Masahiro Hara, an engineer at the Japanese company DENSO WAVE, a subsidiary of the Toyota Group.
Their goal was clear:
To improve the traceability of auto parts in automotive factories.
Traditional barcodes only stored a limited number of characters and required one-way scanning, which slowed down the process.
Masahiro Hara and his team created a system that could:
✔️ Store more information
✔️ Be read quickly
✔️ Operate from any angle (360°)
✔️ Be free to use license-free
Yes, you read that right: DENSO WAVE released the patent, allowing the QR code to be adopted by companies and developers around the world, without having to pay for it.
This gesture was key to QR becoming a global standard.
Although its use originated in the Japanese automotive industry, the QR code began to gain global popularity with the rise of smartphones.
By including cameras capable of scanning QR codes, cell phones made this technology part of our lives:
During the COVID-19 pandemic, its use skyrocketed even more, especially for digital menus, contactless forms and health traceability.
The design of the three squares in the corners allows the reader to identify the direction of the code and scan it from any angle.
It can store up to 7,089 numeric characters or 4,296 alphanumeric characters.
There are variations of QR such as Micro QR, Frame QR and SQRC (with protected data).
The QR code is an example of how a solution designed for industry can be transformed into an everyday tool for millions of people.
From 1994 to the present day, it has evolved, but its principle remains the same: fast, simple and direct access to information.
And best of all, your story is just beginning.