Pennsylvania Railroad
Pennsylvania Railroad
Barcodes Have Rocked Modern Commerce
Go to any grocery store and pick up an item, turn it over, and you will see a barcode. Barcodes are small symbolic patterns that relay information about the identity of a product. For the most part, these tiny archives go unnoticed, but they have become critical in the business world. Early use of the barcode involved labeling Railroad Cars, but the barcode's true commercial niche was in automating supermarket checkout systems.
Now, barcoding is implemented by the US Post Office, The Department of Defense, and just about every industrial application You Can think of. In 1948 Bernard Silver began research into a system that could automatically read product information. Together with Joseph Woodland, the first workable system was developed using ultraviolet ink. The second system, developed by Woodland, was based on Morse Code.
He extended the dots and dashes of the code into narrow or wide vertical lines read by shining a 500-watt bulb through the paper onto an RCA935 photomultiplier tube. Later, a bulls-eye pattern was used so that scanning would work in either direction. By 1949, pioneers Woodland and Silver applied for US Patent 2,612,994 called Classifying Apparatus and Method.
At first, barcode scanning was unreliable and expensive as it required investments from large corporations willing to test the technology's potential. In 1952 RCA purchased the patent. In 1961 The Boston and Maine Railroads tested the system on gravel cars until 1967, when the Associated American Railroads AAR selected it as the standard used across the entire North American fleet. One year before that The National Association of Food Chains met to discuss the idea of using barcodes to automate checkout lines.
It was the Kroger chain who first volunteered to test the system based on the bulls-eye code. And by 1969, Computer Identics; a company formed by David Collins of the Pennsylvania Railroad, installed the first two systems at General Motors in Pontiac, Michigan and The General Trading Company in Carlstadt, New Jersey. These, among other initial financiers allowed barcode use to prove itself as viable, but the most common use for this technology is in the grocery and retail industry. It helps businesses to improve trade efficiency and as a result, the economy.
In the mid 1970s the NAFC developed an 11 digit code to identify any product, and the Universal Product Code UPC was born. Since then, industry has not been the same. By 1980, barcode systems were being implemented by 8000 new stores per year. Did barcode technology revolutionize business and industry?
Consider how vital UPC codes are in point-of-sale management. Fast selling items can be easily identified and reordered, while slow selling items can be determined, preventing build up of unwanted stock. This ideology also allows the most popular items to occupy the optimal spaces within the store, which further increases sales, and historical data allows the accurate prediction of seasonal fluctuations in product demand. Barcodes have rocked our modern world.
About the Author
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HO 1 87 sc AHM by RIVAROSSI 6423 Pennsylvania RailRoad PRR SS Chair Coach Car |  |
0 Bid | US $16.99 | 34m |
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N SCALE 5 BOX CARS CNJ PRR AND CR LK LK | |
3 Bids | US $18.00 | 35m |
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HO PENNSYLVANIA RAILROAD PRR 50 PLUG DOOR BOXCAR GARX 100134 LOT H | |
0 Bid | US $8.46 | 1h 30m |
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HO SCALE TRAINS MODEL POWER FREIGHT CAR 40 GONDOLA PENNSYLVANIA 98502 PRR | |
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US $3.99 | 1h 33m |
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Athearn HO Pennsylvania Railroad 65 Mill Gondola 440703 | |
0 Bid | US $17.95 | 1h 40m |
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N GAUGE ATLAS TRACK BOX PEABODY COAL SANTA FE PENNSYVANIA POST OFFICE CAR LOT | |
1 Bid | US $20.00 | 1h 46m |
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Marx 35461 PFE Reefer Boxcar Southern Pacific SP 3 16 Scale S Gauge Vintage Rare | |
4 Bids | US $22.22 | 1h 53m |
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Atlas N Rolling Stock 40 P D Boxcar Pennsylvania RR | |
1 Bid | US $4.99 | 2h 5m |
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Atlas N Rolling Stock 40 P D Boxcar Pennsylvania RR 1 | |
1 Bid | US $4.99 | 2h 6m |
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Atlas N Rolling Stock 40 P D Boxcar Pennsylvania RR 2 | |
1 Bid | US $4.99 | 2h 7m |
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Marx 7 7 Inch 37956 Pennsylvania Merchandise Service Boxcar Vintage Rare | |
1 Bid | US $9.99 | 2h 16m |
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PRR Pennsylvania RailRoad Tee Shirt T Shirt NEW L | |
0 Bid | US $4.99 | 2h 28m |
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N Scale Kato Pennsylvania RR E8 A Powered Locomotive 5711Rd | |
0 Bid | US $54.95 | 2h 53m |
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N Scale Kato Pennsylvania RR E8 A Powered Locomotive 5809Rd | |
0 Bid | US $54.95 | 2h 56m |
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Trainpack HO Transformer 4 Train Cars Santa Fe Pennsylvania Swift 18R Tracks | |
0 Bid | US $49.99 | 3h 38m |
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PENNSYLVANIA RAILROAD FACILITIES IN COLOR VOL 13 NEW | |
2 Bids | US $36.99 | 3h 43m |
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HO Brekina 1964 Dodge A 100 Panel Van Pennsylvania RR PRR | |
2 Bids | US $13.51 | 3h 46m |
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Model Railroad G GAUGE TALL BRIDGE PIERS Set of 2 trains scenery layout | |
0 Bid | US $20.99 | 4h 23m |
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CHAIN LINK FENCE FOR YOUR MODEL RAILROAD TRAIN LAYOUTS | |
0 Bid | US $7.99 | 4h 23m |
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Corgi PRR Die Cast Truck Limited Edition | |
2 Bids | US $11.31 | 4h 24m |
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VINTAGE LIONEL 8551 EP 5 PENNSYLVANIA LK | |
0 Bid | US $74.99 | 4h 24m |
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20 HO scale scratch built pine trees for model railroad | |
0 Bid | US $17.99 | 4h 25m |
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HO SCALE BRICK ARCH BRIDGE MODEL RAILROAD TRAIN LAYOUT | |
0 Bid | US $9.99 | 4h 25m |
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HAND CRAFTED CROSS BUCK SIGNS G SCALE MODEL RAILROAD TRAIN LAYOUT | |
0 Bid | US $5.99 | 4h 26m |
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35 HO scale scratch built pine trees for model railroad | |
0 Bid | US $32.99 | 4h 26m |
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Keystone The Official PRRTHS Society Magazine Winter1987 | |
0 Bid | US $9.89 | 4h 26m |
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O SCALE MODEL RAILROAD GIRDER BRIDGE MODEL TRAIN LAYOUT | |
2 Bids | US $29.99 | 4h 27m |
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VINTAGE LIONEL 19807 EXTENDED VISION CABOOSE PENNSYLVANIA SMOKE UNIT LK | |
0 Bid | US $34.99 | 4h 27m |
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35 O scale scratch built PINE TREES for model railroad | |
0 Bid | US $32.99 | 4h 28m |
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CORRUGATED ROOFING FOR HO SCALE MODEL RAILROAD LAYOUT SCRATCH BUILT HO GAUGE | |
0 Bid | US $6.98 | 4h 28m |
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MODEL RAILROAD O GAUGE TALL BRIDGE PIERS Set of 2 trains scenery layout | |
0 Bid | US $20.99 | 4h 30m |
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HO SCALE MODEL RAILROAD TRAINS LAYOUT PENNSY MAINTENANCE CABOOSE W CRANE M98192 | |
6 Bids | US $10.50 | 4h 30m |
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Old Attic Fresh LIONEL 157 Lighted Platform in Original BoxVintage O Railroad | |
5 Bids | US $21.50 | 4h 32m |
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HO Pennsylvania RR Cattle car 135427 | |
1 Bid | US $3.00 | 4h 37m |
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New Marx No 257128 8 Wheel Pennsylvania Hopper Dark Red OB | |
2 Bids | US $36.07 | 5h 16m |
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MTH RailKing Pennsylvania RR Six 6 Car Freight Set 30 7007 | |
19 Bids | US $113.40 | 5h 30m |
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Lionel PENNSYLVANIA NW2 Transfer Set UNIQUE RARE CUSTOM PAINTED NOB | |
7 Bids | US $127.50 | 5h 32m |
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HO Scale Mantua Steam Locomotive 4 4 2 E6 Atlantic Pennsylvania RR 460 Lindbergh | |
13 Bids | US $56.00 | 5h 45m |
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New Marx No 8351 Pennsylvania RR 0 4 0 Steam Loco Black Gold | |
5 Bids | US $133.50 | 5h 46m |
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Athearn Genesis HO Pennsylvania Railroad 9845A FP7 Pas | |
0 Bid | US $163.59 | 5h 50m |
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HO Scale Pennsylvania PRR Railroad Track Cleaning Switcher Diesel Train Engine | |
5 Bids | US $13.49 | 5h 54m |
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ROUNDHOUSE MDC HO KIT 1507 MAINTENANCE OF WAY FIRE FIGHTING TRAIN NEW w BOX | |
7 Bids | US $10.50 | 5h 56m |
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Athearn Pennsylvania 50 S D Box Car Wgt Car 118489 | |
0 Bid | US $6.99 | 5h 58m |
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ABT Assorted American Flyer Track Accessories No Reserve | 2 Bids | US $10.49 | 6h |
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HO Gauge Pennsylvania Railroad Commuter Car Motorized | |
2 Bids | US $15.50 | 6h |
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LIONEL 6 11266 PRR SCALE K 4 PACIFIC STEAMER CONVENTIONAL w RailSounds | |
7 Bids | US $179.50 | 6h 1m |
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MANTUA HO SCALE 7234 RAILROAD EMPIRE 10 UNIT TRAIN SET WITH BOX | |
7 Bids | US $31.00 | 6h 13m |
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LIONEL O GAUGE BOXCAR PENNSYLVANIA RAILROAD | |
2 Bids | US $6.50 | 6h 15m |
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LIONEL O GAUGE AUTOMOBILE BOXCAR PENNSYLVANIA RAILROAD | |
0 Bid | US $2.50 | 6h 15m |
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NEW IN BOX Con Cor Pennsylvania Railroad PRR Tuscan Passenger Set HO Scale | |
0 Bid | US $80.00 | 6h 28m |
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Athearn HO Pennsylvania PRR Railroad Powered B Unit Diesel Train Engine | |
4 Bids | US $18.50 | 6h 30m |
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MARKLIN 466 HO Scale Vintage Metal Bridge and Box | |
5 Bids | US $9.50 | 6h 36m |
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Pennsylvania Passenger Coach 16002 O guage | |
0 Bid | US $19.99 | 6h 38m |
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Pennsylvania Observation Coach 16003 O guage | |
0 Bid | US $19.99 | 6h 41m |
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LIONEL 6417 PENNSYLVANIA RAILROAD N5c CABOOSE WITH ORIGINAL BOX EXCELLENT | |
7 Bids | US $16.50 | 6h 45m |
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LIONEL 6123 FAMOUS AMERICAN RAILROAD 5 PENNSYLVANIA COVERED HOPPER CAR MINT | |
0 Bid | US $55.00 | 6h 48m |
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LIONEL PENNSYLVANIA S 2 TURBINE 6 8 6 STEAM ENGINE FARR 5 0 GAUGE WITH BOX LN | |
1 Bid | US $277.50 | 6h 51m |
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HO 1 87 sc IHC Pennsylvania Railroad PRR 10864 Old Time Stock Horse Car | |
1 Bid | US $14.99 | 6h 53m |
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Brass PRR flat car Pennsylvania wood detail weathered 2 rail sprung trucks | |
1 Bid | US $149.00 | 6h 53m |
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DTD HO BRASS PRR PENNSYLVANIA RAILROAD 2 8 0 CONSOLIDATION from EMPIRE MIDLAND | |
10 Bids | US $207.50 | 7h 6m |
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LIONEL No 55 PENNSYLVANIA RAILROAD TIE JECTOR EXCL NO RSV RUNS FINE | |
3 Bids | US $13.05 | 7h 9m |
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Athearn Genesis HO Pennsylvania RR FP7 F7B Loco 9838A | |
0 Bid | US $295.37 | 7h 21m |
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LIONEL 2352 PENNSYLVANIA RAILROAD EP 5 “LITTLE JOE” ELECTRIC LOCOMOTIVE NO RSV | |
23 Bids | US $170.00 | 7h 35m |
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Walthers HO Pennsylvania Railroad Pullman Standard 72 | |
3 Bids | US $12.82 | 7h 38m |
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VINTAGE ATLAS N SCALE PENNSYLVANIA RAILROAD BOX CAR39857 WITH HARD CASE EX | |
0 Bid | US $5.99 | 7h 42m |
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Lionel 36526 Pennsylvia Work Caboose MIB | |
0 Bid | US $17.50 | 7h 46m |
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