About George Laurer
George J. Laurer was an American engineer and inventor best known for his significant contribution to the development of the Universal Product Code (UPC). Born on September 23, 1925, in New York, Laurer had a strong background in electrical engineering and worked for IBM (International Business Machines Corporation) for over 30 years, where he was involved in numerous innovative projects.
In the late 1960s, Laurer was assigned to work on a project for the grocery industry, which aimed to create a system that could streamline the checkout process and improve inventory management. This project was critical, as the grocery industry faced increasing challenges with efficiency and accuracy at the checkout counters.
Drawing on previous work done by his colleagues and leveraging his own expertise, Laurer developed the UPC barcode system, a breakthrough that would revolutionize the retail industry by significantly speeding up the checkout process and greatly enhancing inventory control. His invention not only transformed how businesses operated but also paved the way for modern automated systems that are now ubiquitous in various industries around the world.
Early Life and Education
Laurer was born in New York City and later moved to Baltimore, Maryland, where his father, an electrical engineer, worked for the United States Navy. Despite contracting polio as a teenager, Laurer persevered and was drafted into the U.S. Army during World War II while still in high school. After his military service, he pursued studies in radio and television repair at a technical school. However, his instructor encouraged him to aim higher, leading Laurer to graduate from the A. James Clark School of Engineering at the University of Maryland in 1951. His fascination with radio persisted, and he maintained an amateur radio license throughout his life.
A Distinguished Career at IBM
Joining IBM in 1951 as a junior engineer, Laurer dedicated 36 years to the company, retiring as a senior engineer/scientist in June 1987. In 1969, he relocated to IBM’s Research Triangle Park in North Carolina, where he was tasked with developing a barcode system for the grocery industry to streamline the checkout process and improve inventory management.
Development of the UPC Barcode
Initially, IBM considered Joe Woodland’s circular bullseye barcode design from the 1940s. However, Laurer identified a major flaw: the circular pattern was prone to smearing during printing. In response, he designed a vertical stripe pattern, which he proposed in the early 1970s. This innovative design, featuring unique sequences of black and white bars representing specific products, was approved by IBM management. Laurer, Woodland, and mathematician David Savir further refined the design, including the addition of a check digit for error correction. In 1973, their proposal was accepted by the Symbol Selection Committee of the Uniform Grocery Product Code Council.
The UPC Barcode’s First Scan
On June 26, 1974, the first UPC barcode was scanned at a grocery store in Ohio, marking a significant milestone in retail technology. Laurer’s barcode system, with its unique numbering for manufacturers and products, allowed for quick and accurate scanning, vastly improving checkout efficiency and reducing human error.
Legacy and Impact
George Laurer held 28 patents and authored 20 technical bulletins, earning numerous accolades, including the Raleigh Inventor of the Year Award in 1976 and IBM’s Corporate Technical Achievement Award in 1980. His invention transformed retail, enabling faster, more accurate product identification and inventory control. By 2019, UPC barcodes were being scanned over 6 billion times daily, highlighting the enduring significance of his work.
Personal Life and Lasting Influence
Laurer lived in Wendell, North Carolina, until his death in December 2019. He was predeceased by his wife, Marilyn Slocum Laurer, who passed away in 2013. Together, they had four children. Laurer’s legacy as a pioneer in barcode technology continues to influence modern retail operations and global commerce, reminding us of the power of innovation and dedication. His contributions have left an indelible mark on the world, transforming how businesses operate and how consumers interact with products.