Barcode scanning apps were some of the first to take advantage of higher resolution cameras in smartphones back when 3.2MP was an incredible feat of engineering. Just point your phone at a price ...

Basically nothing about the symbol itself has changed in 50 years. Look at the first barcode, from a 67-cent pack of Wrigley’s gum: It doesn’t seem outdated, because it isn’t outdated.

Beep! The barcode, that rectangle of thick and thin parallel lines seen on seemingly every grocery product, package, prescription bottle and piece of luggage is turning 50 years old. Almost as old ...