In 1994, engineers at Denso, a Japanese automotive parts manufacturer, invented the QR code while redesigning production labels. The two-dimensional barcode allowed faster scanning of components on assembly lines, addressing the limitations of traditional one-dimensional barcodes.
The QR code, short for Quick Response, could store more data and be read from any angle. It was initially used for tracking parts in manufacturing but later found widespread applications in marketing, payments, and digital identification.
Today, the QR code has become a ubiquitous tool, especially during the COVID-19 pandemic for contactless transactions, and its adoption continues to grow globally.