History of QR Codes: From 1994 to Today
Invention in Japan
QR codes were created in 1994 by Denso Wave, a subsidiary of Toyota. They were designed to allow fast decoding of parts information in manufacturing. The "Quick Response" name reflected the goal: fast, accurate reading.
Going Public and Global
Denso Wave held the patent but allowed free use of the QR code technology, which helped it spread. Adoption grew in Japan for mobile content and payments, then worldwide for marketing, ticketing, and contactless use.
QR Codes Today
Today QR codes are built into smartphone cameras, payment apps, and health passes. The pandemic accelerated use for menus and contactless check-in. They remain one of the simplest ways to link printed material to the web.