April 3, 2013 marked the 40th aniiversary of the bar code. The first product ever scanned using a UPC back in 1974 was a 10-pack of Wrigley's Juicy Fruit Gum at the Marsh Supermarket in Troy, Ohio. In honor of the 40th we thought it might be fun to compose a list of some creative bar codes in advertising.
For the UK's TigerTrust preservation charity a tigers stripes are made to look like a bar code. Created by ad agency Leo Burnett, Copywriter, Nick Bell and Art Director Mark Tutssel. I believe from back in 1998.
In France a Renault burns out a few barcodes in this print ad from Publicis Conseil, copywriter Serge Ficard and art direction by Pascal Midavaine.
Coca-Cola has a history of cute bottled shaped bar codes, this one from ad agency Chaitra Leo Burnett, India.
Soul Tattoo & Piercing in Brazil ran this IRA Communication created tramp stamp print campaign back in 2008.
The Belgian Federation of Food Banks asked us to donate a barcode and feed the hungry.
Some where in Russia.
For those of us old enough to remember Mad Magazine, they weren't too pleased back in '78 so they ran this cover hoping to jam every computer in the country...Sorry Mad Mag, you're plan didn't work.