To many, a barcode is simply the key to get into hip night clubs and lounges. To the rest of us it is a symbol of commercialism, bringing back memories of getting groceries with your mom and watching a box of popsicles pass over a red cross-haired laser beam.

                                

Originally conceived with the help of a group of MIT students in the 1950's, the concept was commercially introduced on a 10-pack of Juicy Fruit gum on June 26, 1974, as the dream of inventor George J. Laurer.

A simple but mesmerizing concept - 59 black and white bars and a corresponding numerical sequence revolutionized the retail industry, speeding up checkout lines and giving stores a tool to track their inventory. Check out barcode revolution to see how the barcode has evolved into art.