U.S. Census Bureau Daily Feature for June 26

WASHINGTON, June 26, 2012 /PRNewswire-USNewswire/ -- Following is the daily "Profile America" feature from the U.S. Census Bureau:

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TUESDAY, JUNE 26: BAR CODES

Profile America — Tuesday, June 26th.  The person's name is not known, but whoever bought a pack of chewing gum at the Marsh Supermarket in Troy, Ohio on this day 38 years ago was making history.  It was the first purchase of an item to be scanned into a cash register by using the Universal Product Code — much better known as the bar code.  Realizing the significance of the event, the buyer returned the item — a 10-pack of Wrigley's Juicy Fruit — which is now on display at the Smithsonian in Washington, D.C.  The sound of the once universal cash register is now relegated to history.  Today, the bar code is part of everyday life for all of those who shop and work in America's more than 1.1 million retail stores.  You can find these and more facts about America from the U.S. Census Bureau, online at www.census.gov. 

Sources:  Chase's Calendar of Events 2012, p. 330
Statistical Abstract of the United States 2012, t. 1042

Profile America is produced by the Public Information Office of the U.S. Census Bureau. These daily features are available as produced segments, ready to air, on a monthly CD or on the Internet at www.census.gov (look for "Multimedia Gallery" by the "Newsroom" button).

SOURCE U.S. Census Bureau

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