The UPC, the most common version of the so-called bar code, wasn't as warmly embraced or as breathtaking as some emerging technologies, but its impact on retailing has been enormous.

Bar codes can be visually represented in a variety of ways, but the most common UPC code is a set of vertical black lines separated by white spaces with a set of numbers attached to it.

George J. Laurer, the man who invented the Universal Product Code (UPC) barcode and called Wendell his home died on Thursday. He was 94.