How did the QR code originate?

From menus to online payments, the QR code has become an integral part of technology used in many places. This system, consisting of black and white cells, creates convenience in daily expenses and payment services. By scanning this square key with a smartphone, one can perform all services and shopping from where they sit. This technology allows for buying products online, accessing websites, and following interesting news within seconds. But when and why was the QR code invented?!

Until the 1990s, barcode technology was used in the retail and manufacturing sectors. Popular barcodes could store a limited amount of information and could only be read in one direction. Consequently, due to this limitation, a need for a new technology arose in restaurants, hotel services, and online shopping. In 1994, a team of experts from the Japanese technology company "Denso Wave" developed the QR code. The Japanese company's goal in introducing this technology was to speed up the shipping and ensure more accurate tracking of component parts used in automobile production. This technology, invented to facilitate the work of the automotive industry, stands for "Quick Response."

The new system stood out from barcodes by being able to store much more information and being read faster. The main feature of the QR code is its ability to store information both horizontally and vertically. This allows for storing thousands of characters (numbers, data) in a tiny square cell. Moreover, because the QR code has an error correction feature, the system can continue to read information even if a part of the code is damaged or torn. These technical features led to the rapid adoption of the QR code in other sectors. Although "Denso Wave" is the patent holder of the QR code technology, it did not collect any licensing fees for its use. The company allowed other companies and developers to use this technology freely, which is why the system became famous worldwide. Currently, QR codes are used in everything from logistics and retail to marketing and healthcare systems. After QR code reading capability was integrated into camera-equipped mobile phones in the early 2000s, this technology became a part of people's daily lives.