1974day.year

The Universal Product Code is scanned for the first time to sell a package of Wrigley's chewing gum at the Marsh Supermarket in Troy, Ohio.

The first commercial UPC scan at a Troy, Ohio supermarket marked the dawn of barcode technology in retail sales.
On June 26, 1974, a package of Wrigley's chewing gum became the first product ever scanned with a Universal Product Code (UPC) at the Marsh Supermarket in Troy, Ohio. Developed to streamline checkout and inventory management, the barcode system revolutionized retail operations. This milestone launched widespread adoption of automated scanning, improving pricing accuracy and supply chain efficiency. Today, UPC and barcode technology underpin global commerce, from supermarkets to logistics networks.
1974 Universal Product Code chewing gum Troy, Ohio