Fineas J. Whoopie Posted November 23, 2006 Share Posted November 23, 2006 I was just watching a program about the history of Supermarkets (of all things) and learned a bit of trivia that would be helpful for us robot historians to remember. The very first use of a bar code reading machine was in June of 1974. Just thought I would post that fact here for easy access. Obviously any robots that come in a box with a bar code is going to be from no earlier than that year. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
steve Posted November 26, 2006 Share Posted November 26, 2006 Unfortunately I'm old enough to remember clearly the debates that the supermarket bar codes induced. People thought that the machines would cheat them on prices as they were being scanned. Another example of a reluctance to accept newer technology or atleast be very suspicious of it. Joe this is really a history lesson for you as unlike me you were too young to remember this event. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
jimmiesparks Posted November 27, 2006 Share Posted November 27, 2006 Both great facts to know. I had wondered if the ST came into the picture before 1970.I just took a look at my BULLMARK R/C smoking GODZILLA. I thought for sure these were no later than '69 but it does have the ST mark on the box. I'm surprised they would still be making a toy with this much tin in '72 or '73, but suppose it's possible. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
plasticaugie Posted December 9, 2006 Share Posted December 9, 2006 Both great facts to know. I had wondered if the ST came into the picture before 1970.I just took a look at my BULLMARK R/C smoking GODZILLA. I thought for sure these were no later than '69 but it does have the ST mark on the box. I'm surprised they would still be making a toy with this much tin in '72 or '73, but suppose it's possible.Yeah, the old notion of tin toys fading away and plastics taking over toys is just a myth. A lot of the oldest robots were plastic and tin was never phased out by Metal House. Dealers used to try and date robots by the amount of tin was used. This is now a ridiculous idea.The bar code info is great and yes it is a valuable tool just like the ST mark. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Mr. Jan Posted December 12, 2006 Share Posted December 12, 2006 Here is another helpful bit of helpful information when trying to date the manufacturing date of toys and other objects.The Zip Code used by the USPS started on July 1, 1963,So if you have a box or toy with the importers address on it any were and it has a Zip Code it would have been at least imported after this date.So now you have Zip Code, Bar Code, and ST designationto help in dating.Have fun!Mr. Jan Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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