When RFID technology hit the supply chain scene on the coattails of the “Wal-Mart mandate,” most people thought it was the end of the barcode scanner. Not so fast. That nifty device remains a staple of trade.

In the supply chain, in the warehouse, and in the factory, there’s likely a barcode scanner somewhere. But we all love it the most for getting us through the supermarket line as fast as possible.

In fact, it was June 26, 1974 when a Universal Product Code (UPC) scanner, installed at a Marsh’s supermarket in Troy, Ohio, performed the first product scan on a pack of Wrigley’s gum. (No word on whether it was Doublemint or Juicy Fruit.)

Today, we celebrate 35 years of productive scanning. While a rather “unexciting” device compared to the sophisticated features of today’s technology, the barcode scanner has undeniably made our world a better place.

Some history notes from Motorola, which acquired laser scanning device inventor Symbol Technologies in 2006, illustrate the impact of the barcode–laser scanner coupling:

And so, with all of those achievements — at such a low cost — I say the barcode scanner is here to stay, continuing to live in peaceful co-existence with RFID.

(For an alternate perspective, see, “RFID in the Spin Cycle.”)