When Were QR Codes Invented and How They Changed the World

By: Ashley P.Update: November 19, 2024

When reviewing the history of QR codes, the first question to ask is always, “When were QR codes invented?” However, there is more to their history than the year they were created.

This is why, on its 30th anniversary, we’ve compiled the QR code’s journey to becoming one of the most innovative forms of communication today.

Look back at the origins of these black-and-white squares, how they were made available to create using QR code generators online, and how they became the most useful tools across different industries.

Table of Contents

Who is the father of QR codes?

The genius behind the QR code technology is Masahiro Hara, the chief engineer of the Edge Products Business Unit at Denso Wave (formerly Denso).

Born in 1957 in Tokyo, Japan, Hara studied in the Department of Electrical and Electronics Engineering at Hosei University. After graduating in 1980, he worked for Denso as an engineer in the development department.

In 1992, he was part of the team developing the company's barcode scanners and optical character recognition devices.

When were QR codes invented?

QR codes have had a long history of seamlessly connecting people to digital information. To celebrate their 30th anniversary, let’s take a look back to where QR codes originally come from:

1974: Before QR codes

Before QR codes, barcodes are designed to help cashiers register sales at checkout, their use extended to inventory management in manufacturing. Here, information was encoded into the barcode to help track the parts.

The limitations of one-dimensional barcodes would eventually rear their heads. According to Hara, manufacturers in the 1990s shifted from making one type of product to a more flexible kind of production.

This led to a need for more detailed production control in the manufacturing process. And while barcodes were useful in this endeavor, it was soon obvious that they were limited in storage.

One-dimensional barcodes can only hold 85 characters or 20 alphanumeric ones. Therefore, if an item has a lot of information to keep track of, manufacturers have to use multiple barcodes on it.

Additionally, barcodes could only be scanned in one direction. This led to scanners being unable to read barcodes that were placed on parts of varying shapes and sizes.

All these limitations led to longer assembly times and a slower manufacturing process, which forced the Japanese automotive company Denso Wave to find an alternative.

1994: The invention of QR codes

In 1992, Denso Wave looked to its developing department to improve the barcode system. This was when Hara—while playing Go during lunch—realized that using a 2-dimensional grid could be the key to improving barcodes.

After more research into how the codes can be scanned from any direction, the final iteration of the QR code was finally released in 1994.

After being released to the public, QR codes quickly became popular in the automotive industry. Thanks to the amount of information they can hold, the technology also became popular in marketing and retail.

However, the benefits of using 2D barcodes over 1-dimensional ones soon became apparent. In an effort to make production processes more transparent, other industries began using QR codes.

2002: A breakthrough for QR codes

To bring QR codes to as many people as possible, Denso Wave made the technology available to the public license-free.

One of the many QR code facts to note: QR codes weren’t widely used until 2002, when smartphones with QR code scanning apps were released.

Over the years, developments in QR codes continued as more and more developers created apps that brought QR code scanning to mobile devices. This all led to the inclusion of a native QR code scanner in both iOS and Android phones in 2017.

Since then, the use of QR codes has been on an upward trajectory. Several companies took advantage of everyone’s ability to scan QR codes and found several creative applications for the technology.

These days, you can find 2D barcodes in both the real and digital worlds.

The impact of QR codes in today’s world

Knowing the answer to the question, “Why were QR codes created?” it’s easy to imagine how huge they would be after all these years.

To grasp how these black-and-white squares changed the world, let’s go over the different ways QR codes have been used creatively

Engaging marketing campaigns

Promoting your services or products requires sharing information. Because QR codes can store more data than barcodes, many marketing teams have decided to use them in their campaigns.

Aside from its increased capacity, QR codes can be personalized to match your brand’s identity. Using a QR code generator with logo integration allows one to customize a QR code’s colors, shapes, and patterns.

Lastly, adding QR codes to marketing material increases engagement between the business and its customers. With more interactions with your ads, customers will remember your brand and be more likely to choose your services.

Streamlining event management

How were QR codes invented? The backstory reveals much about their intended purpose, which can lead to more innovative uses for them.

Since QR codes were designed to hold information on various items, it only makes sense to have them store event details as well.

By using different types of QR codes for an event, attendees can scan them to:

learn where the venue is;
read about what the event is;
reserve a spot in the event, and
share the event with their network.

Convenient cashless payments

Using a QR code for payment has to be one of the most well-known applications of QR codes to date.

First seeing popularity in Asia, this payment method has gained plenty of traction in other parts of the world thanks to its benefits. These include:

Speedy payments
Easy and convenient to use
Adds safety and security to financial transactions

Improved healthcare

It's fascinating to get an answer to the question “When were QR codes invented?” and learn about how they've evolved since then.

Case in point, their versatility and effectiveness allow healthcare professionals to use QR codes to provide better healthcare to patients.

QR codes in healthcare are primarily used to track patient information during treatment. They are also used to provide more information on medications, leading to increased patient awareness and the fight against counterfeit medicines.

Easy traveling with public transportation

Many public transportation systems have begun using QR codes made with a dynamic QR code generator to boost their operational efficiencies.

Using QR codes has also enhanced the passenger experience, leading to smoother rides and satisfied customers.

With QR codes, passengers can get on rides more quickly by having their tickets scanned by a machine instead of staff. Fare payments can also be made easily since they occur electronically.

Passengers also won’t need to worry about misplaced tickets since they can always be found online.

How is QR code and its capacity celebrated today: Real-life use cases

With how impactful QR codes are, it only makes sense for the biggest brands to integrate them in some fashion. Here are only some of the ways how do QR codes work in real life:

Secure guest management for the biggest weddings

Using the best QR code platform online, the biggest wedding of 2024 was guaranteed safety and security with QR codes.

During the wedding of Anant Ambani, son of Indian business mogul Mukesh Ambani, several global figures and celebrities filled the guest list to witness the whole affair.

With so many of the world’s elites in one place, access to the festivities had to be managed with QR codes and color-coded wristbands.

By employing QR codes, the Ambanis were able to keep the event secure and ensure that high-profile guests were safe and sound.

Fighting counterfeit products with QR codes

In an effort to combat counterfeits of their products, Louis Vuitton sought to protect their brand by using QR codes.

By including branded QR codes inside their products, the French fashion house can prove their products' authenticity to consumers.

Bridging video games and drinks with QR codes

Bringing two worlds together is no easy feat, but this didn’t stop Mountain Dew and Mobile Legends: Bang Bang from making it work.

The two brands launched an in-game campaign through a summer collaboration that rewarded players who purchased Mountain Dew drinks.

By scanning a QR code under the bottle’s label, fans unlocked awesome rewards that elevated their games to the next level.

QR codes in the fight against COVID-19

Earlier in this article, we answered the question, “When did QR codes became popular?” We mentioned how QR codes grew in popularity due to updates to iOS and Android phones.

However, the adoption of QR codes didn’t stop then. In fact, it only surged during the COVID-19 pandemic.

CityMedic created a COVID-19 self-testing kit to combat the virus and added QR codes to its packaging to help people learn how to use it.

When scanned, the code directed users to instructional YouTube videos, allowing everyone to fight back against the pandemic.

Modern job advertising with QR codes

Job advertising has forever changed thanks to a Skechers QR code on job ads. To boost their hiring process, the footwear and apparel company began using QR codes that directed interested parties to their career page.

Not only do they get eyes on their available positions, but they also make the job-hunting experience easy and convenient.

Sharing the love with heart-felt QR codes

In one of the most creative marketing campaigns to date, the company behind Hershey’s Kisses spread love by integrating a unique Hershey QR code on its packaging.

These QR codes let buyers record a heartfelt video message that can be shared with loved ones. They were placed on Hershey’s Kisses packaging, which is specially made for the holidays.

The chocolates had to be given to their loved ones to show the videos. By flipping the first QR code, they can scan a second one that reveals the video message to them.

Reward-filled QR code campaigns

In one of its many campaigns over the years, Frito Lay tapped into the power of QR codes to offer several rewards to snack fans.

When the QR codes were scanned, customers were directed to a registration page that contained the giveaway’s mechanics.

Fans can also see information on the many rewards available to them, ranging from music lessons to an all-expenses-paid staycation!

QR codes in the sky

When you google “When was the QR code invented?” you’ll find that it was created at a time when drones weren’t a thing for most people.

QR codes were usually printed at that time. But technology has evolved so much that QR codes can now be placed in the sky!

To promote their upcoming TV adaptation of the world-famous Halo franchise, Paramount launched 400 drones into the sky during the South by Southwest (SXSW) Festival in Austin, Texas.

These drones then came together to form a QR code that directed festivalgoers to a trailer.

QR codes as the gateway to augmented reality

To continue this theme of advanced technology, let’s go over how QR codes have connected people to augmented reality.

During the Super Bowl, PepsiCo integrated QR codes into Pepsi cans that allowed fans to join in on the Super Bowl LVI Halftime action.

By scanning the code, viewers can use an AR selfie lens to gain unprecedented access to the musical performances during halftime.

QR TIGER: Your one-stop shop for everything QR code

QR codes have enjoyed three decades of constant growth and evolution. It’s amazing to see how far these black-and-white squares have come from their days as a means to track items.

We’ve answered a lot of questions, such as “When were QR codes invented?” and “How have QR codes impacted the world?” Now, we invite you to partner with us for your QR needs.

With our software, you gain access to over 17 QR code solutions in one place. We offer several customization options to help make your QR code truly yours.

We also provide the best and most secure QR codes by complying with GDPR protocols and ISO standards.

Sign up today and get a $7 discount on any plans you purchase as a thank-you gift from us! Don’t forget to refer a friend to have FREE months.

FAQ

Why were QR codes created?

Barcodes had limited storage capacities and were only scannable from one direction. QR codes were created to overcome these limitations.

When did QR codes start being used?

QR codes started being used right after their release to the public in 1994.

When did QR codes became popular?

While QR codes were invented in 1994, they only started becoming popular in 2002. This was due to QR code scanner apps being released alongside mobile phones.