Google has replaced its logo with the bar code design to commemorate the 57th anniversary of the first bar code patent.
(Screengrab)Photos (1 of 1)
Google bar code logo latest in ‘doodle’ line
Google celebrates the 57th anniversary of the first bar code patent.
By Amy Farnsworth | 10.07.09
Today, the usual Google logo has been replaced by the ubiquitous black-and-white bar code design to celebrate the 57th anniversary of the first bar code patent.
On October 7, 1952, inventors Norman Woodland and Bernard Silver were granted the first patent for their invention. The only difference between the bar code we know today and the one Woodland and Silver invented was that it was comprised of a series of concentric circles, not the 59 black-and-white vertical lines synonymous with the current design.
Earlier this year, on June 26, the bar code celebrated its 35th birthday. In 1974, a scanner in a Marsh supermarket in Troy, Ohio, met the simple black-and-white striped bar code design tacked onto a 10-piece pack of Juicy fruit gum. Now, more than 10 billion bar codes are scanned in 25 industries and in places including airports, hospitals, and shipping centers, according to Motorola.
TechCrunch reports that the Google logo bar code spells out “Google” using Code 128, which they describe as “a standard way of encoding ASCII character strings (ie. A-Z, a-z, 0-9, etc.) into a bar code.”
Last week, on October 2, Google replaced its “G” with a drawing of activist Mahatma Gandhi, to commemorate what would’ve been his 140th birthday. In September, Google paid homage to HG Wells, author of War of the Worlds, by adding crop circles and UFOs to its logo.
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2. CVC | 10.07.09
It is not a real barcode. It is not scannable.
Tried with my “Google” Android phone and Shop Savy programs from Market.
3. Pam | 10.07.09
Love your Google Doodles. Very informative and educational. I ‘google’ every day anticipating what ‘doodle’ I will learn something about!! Great job - keep it up !!
7. Avery | 10.07.09
amazing never really thought you could make money off patenting something printed on paper. wish i would have done it!
10. Brandon | 10.07.09
Wow! That is interesting. I thought that was weird when I had seen a bar code on Google. That surprised me. I learned about. Thanks Google!
12. JaXX | 10.07.09
A barcode scan with ShopSaavy on google’s Android marked comes up with “outsourcing sovereignty: why privatization of Government Functions threatens democracy and what we can do about it”
14. James | 10.07.09
the bar code runs off of 6 6 6. the dividing longer bar code that goes from top to bottom are 6’s. the other numbers are shorter or not right to the bottom so you can see the numbers placed under them. the 2 thin lines close together. the first two, the middle two and the last two are 6’s. Just something to consider seeing as the bible predicts the beasts number as 666. Today people are numbered as well as King David was tempted in the old testament in Chronicles to number the people and he was tempted of the devil. After this happened Israel was judged with plague and thousands died in one day. Be warned.
15. KieferMicallef | 10.07.09
Didnt know google had this stuff. Interesting enough though eh? I <3 search engines wwwoooo
17. Bala | 10.07.09
I was shocked after seeing bar code on google site….i thought some one hacked google website !!!! HA HA HA…. Anyhow it was not happened…good…CONGRATULATIONS FOR CELEBRATING 57 ANNIVERSARY….
19. GoogleFanLOL | 10.07.09
I LOVE WHAT GOOGLE DOES WITH THE OCCASIONS
LOL
REALLY COOL
HAVE YOU SENNT HE MICHAEL JACKSON ONE???:?
IT IS THE BEST BY FAR
21. GC | 10.07.09
Actually that bar code DOES say “Google”. You just have to use a scanner/firmware that can read Code 128. Just tried it!
24. Dracimas | 10.07.09
The Google logo bar code is scannable, but you have to print it first. The glare of the screen, and it’s constant refreshing won’t allow a scan directly from the monitor. Print it out and it scans just fine.
28. WFB | 10.07.09
I think it`s funny; Google even uses itself for promoting.
Just “Google up” some event of this date, and you have a logo/idea.
xD gotta admit, they do(odle) it with style.
29. Lewis | 10.07.09
They are cool. They are on my ID which I have to scan to do anything. Include open doors, eat food, or check into work.
31. android_crazy | 10.07.09
The previous poster CVC who said the barcode was unscannable by their android phone is incorrect. They used the wrong app. Shopsavy is only for comparing prices on products i.e. UPC barcode symbology. They should have used the “Barcode Scanner” app based on the Zxing library by google ( http://code.google.com/p/zxing ). Then the barcode will accurately scan, since it’s 128 symbology.
33. joeyg-Barcode guru | 10.07.09
To CVC: it is a real barcode. It scans “Google” in barcode symbology CODE 128. It probably does not scan CODE 128 then, because my scanning devise reads it wight off the main Google page.
36. justin | 10.07.09
CVC - It is a real bar code. Just because your phone can’t scan it doesn’t mean it’s not an actual bar code. Programs like Shop Savvy only have product bar codes in their database (for instance, try scanning a cereal box - you probably won’t get results).
Try this:
Go to http://zxing.org/w/decode.jspx and enter http://www.google.com/logos/barcode09.gif in the first text box. Then hit submit - voila!
37. HersheyBar | 10.07.09
Barcode, in this usage, is one word… that is an actual barcode, formatted in 128 and does say Google… why is there always a “Negative Nelly” on every message board who has to troll using the “government” as fodder?
38. David | 10.07.09
What are those more sophisticated scannable codes that United Parcel Service uses called? The ones that look like a target inside a square box with random markings all over it.
39. Dan | 10.07.09
@CVC and JaXX
The ShopSaavy program scans UPC’s (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Universal_Product_Code), which is a specific type of barcode that contains only 12 digits, this is then looked up in a database to get the name of the product. The upc itself contains no data such as the name or the price so you are not going to see “google” encoded in the barcode.
Google used Code 128 (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Code_128) which allows encoding of non-numeric characters in the barcode. Unless you get a barcode scanner that understands this you’re going to get something completely different when you scan it. This is why JaXX got some random product and CVC says it is invalid.
44. truthsolo | 10.07.09
@CVC — It is a real barcode; scans as “Google” with a Metrologic VoyagerCG MS9520 (a barcode scanner, not a telephone).
45. Mikayla | 10.07.09
how did you try to scan the bar code? obviously the bar code has to be entered into the computer of the scanner you’re using. and the bar code is simply a symbol to commemorate the 57th anniversary, it doesn’t have to be a real bar code. you’re missing the point.
46. Litmonster | 10.07.09
I printed the bar code and it does work if you set your scanner to read CODE128 formated bar codes. Most UPC labels use CODE39. This is why your phone did not get it first chance or you used the screen and there was not enought contrast between the blacks and whites.
47. DumbIdea | 10.07.09
It’s the dumbest idea I have ever heard of. Google is getting too weird for regular people. They have too many phds on their payroll. ; )
48. take my wife | 10.07.09
i would like to get a barcode that translates to 666 on my forehead…awesome!!
50. Joe Strusz | 10.07.09
It is indeed a real bar code. Scanned with my USB scanner, came up as “Google”. The android scanner apps are seriously flawed.. as well as the ones for the iPhone. A camera may be software programmed to read out bar codes, but it is still not nearly equivalent to a real laser.
52. Noah | 10.07.09
To CVC and all: If you scan the Google bar code at http://www.onlinebarcodereader.com, it comes up as a text bar code displaying the word ‘Google’ - just as it’s supposed to. : )
53. Duke | 10.07.09
Yes, it is a real Code 128 barcode. I printed the page and scanned it with my Dolphin 9400 handheld scanner. It simply says “Google”.
54. brad from cleveland | 10.07.09
Hmmm. Google marks the 57th anniversary of the first bar code patent but not 9-11. Wonder why.
55. zombieinacaddy | 10.07.09
Wow…Troy is literally right down the street from me and I never knew that. Interesting 
56. Daniel | 10.07.09
Reply to CVC.
If you print the bar code out and scan it, it scans as “Google”. I just scanned it and it does work using a Symbol scanner.
57. swimchic981 | 10.07.09
i am fairly disappointed in Google’s choice of picture for today. It is also the birthday of Niels Bohr today, and I think that the man who helped develop the atomic theory should be commended more than a bar code.
58. maryann | 10.07.09
1. Sorry, but that’s the most boring thing to honor,
2. I thought I had a computer glitch until much later.
3. I agree with Bob, not to mention “666″. One day this bar code will be stamped on our forehead.
4. Can google find something more interesting in the world to commemorate than a bar code? How about bagged lettuce?
59. nicdelloe | 10.07.09
OH EM GEE.
HAPPY BIRTHDAY BARCODE!!!!!
I LOVE YOU
ILL SEE YOU SOON SWEETIE <3
61. BEASTMASTER | 10.07.09
I disagree with swimchic as she should pay attention in class rather than comment on a clever logo from google
62. Kyle | 10.07.09
That’s nice! i like to see google using difference idea to design the word, and it is unique, and it always educational.
63. Mike | 10.07.09
I remember as a kid before Bar Codes were standardized, the clerk at the Grocery Store would “Ring up” your grocery’s with this big cash register and the amazing thing is, they had nearly every price memorized. Things sure have changed.
64. Mikael | 10.07.09
Wowaweewaaaaa!!!!!!!!!! They did it again! 
I would like Google to educate and promote their power in LDC’s; Least developing countries. GoogleAid…
65. Marie | 10.07.09
But they REALLY weren’t used much until 1984. I worked at a newspaper then and we ran an article about it.
68. Valton | 10.07.09
Wow! Remarkable, but here, in Brazil where we are always waiting for new prices on everything, I suppose Google began would put prices for sail.
69. anoymous | 10.07.09
the government is a lie, dont believe anything they say and only believe half of what they show you!!!
72. Peace | 10.07.09
invention or invasion?
Patent A.K.A Monopoly?
Bar code = cool?
Does “Barcode” means they “Barcode” every thing to create one world, one government?
73. Don LaVange | 10.07.09
Actually, CVC, it scans fine with my Google Android phone and indeed spells “Google”.
75. Badgeman | 10.07.09
Check out QR Bar codes. They store alot of information, dial a phone# or even open a webpage using your cell phone.
77. Alexander | 10.07.09
Ah, this is neat information. I thought my computer was messed up showing that barcode and all haha.
79. Frank | 10.07.09
Go Google! I love it when they replace their logo with doodles. It’s refreshing to see something other than the normal logo.
80. Jennifer | 10.07.09
AWESOME!! I love it when they use cool pictures instead of the Goggle logo. My favorite one was the abstract one. But then again I haven’t seen very many. Thanks Google!
81. Greg | 10.07.09
In response to the person who said it is not a ‘real’ scanable barcode:
I am currently at work and I work for a barcode scanner manufacturer. I am able to scan this barcode just fine. It seems your Google android is not properly equipped to decode code128 barcodes.
82. VAMPIRE KISSES | 10.07.09
I would NOT like the get a barcode that translates 666 on my forhead..thats pretty lame
83. Klare | 10.07.09
Ok I scanned it. If I make the purchase, is there a 30 day money-back guarantee?
84. swim spa Bill | 10.07.09
It’s hard to imagine what it would be like to live without bar codes now. So much time saved using them!
90. Amber | 10.07.09
This is a very intresting fact about something we use everday.
Very nifty Google!
91. jiten | 10.07.09
google way ahead of all……..impressed with its dibursing knowledge in a innovative style…
94. Frank | 10.07.09
@ Brad from Cleveland
The google “doodles” are usually just a bit of fun. I’d say they wanna keep away from tragedies like 9-11 because a) who wants to draw a doodle of 9-11? and b) google isn’t trying to depress it’s customers.
95. Gwar Desires Your Soul | 10.07.09
To the person that said that this is not a real bar code, you are incorrect. I printed off the Google home page and scanned it with a Symbol bar code reader, and it entered ‘Google’ into the text box. It’s a fully functional bar code.
96. Dave | 10.07.09
I find it interesting that google has started increasing these in frequency after bing started using the daily “did you know” images.
It’s also a bit odd that they did nothing for September 11th, but celebrate the 57th Anniversary of a US patent. Go figure.
98. Cory | 10.07.09
I work at a barcode manufacturing facility and I’d just like to point out that the reason your phone cannot scan the barcode is due to the magnification. Google made it much larger that “standard” size so the only device capable of scanning the code is what is known as an imager.
99. COOL GUY | 10.07.09
To the dude who tried to scan the barcode with his “Google” Android phone and Shop Savy programs from Market:
YOU ARE A NERD
101. football.bill | 10.07.09
i did not realize that a “57th” anniversary would be that significant. Unless of course you were a bottle of ketchup.
102. Frank B | 10.07.09
In response to CVC’s comment
“It is not a real barcode. It is not scannable.
Tried with my “Google” Android phone and Shop Savy programs from Market.”
Shop Savy will only read barcodes that correspond to products. Just because you have a smartphone doesn’t make you smart!!
104. boxing gloves | 10.07.09
Nice logo change for them. It reminds me of my boxing gloves boxing gloves shop that I have. I did that for a while to try to build traffic, but it didn’t work.
105. consuela all rights reserved | 10.07.09
I think that it is really cool how u did that with the barcode. I never really new the history of the barcode and I am really glad that U decided 2 do th@. Hey GOOGLE keep doing cool stuff with ur G !!!!
106. angercologist | 10.07.09
I translated this using Code 128B and it spells out “GOOGLEG”
Here are the values of the Bar/Space Weights:
211214 = Start Code B
211313 = G
134111 = o
134111 = o
122114 = g
221114 = l
112214 = e
122114 = g
2331112 = Stop
Can someone verify?
107. Calvin | 10.07.09
Barcodes are the bars that hold in our society of consumerism, mass consumption, and unsatisfied life styles in limbo as we deplete the planet of its natural resources of life.
Get rid of the bar code and stop labeling.
108. sick | 10.07.09
i dont care.but i dont happy when i was seeing the barcode instead of google in the title
109. SLIM | 10.07.09
Why wasn’t there a google doodle for sept. 11. That was very unpatriotic. Yet they do one over micheal Jackson for his birthday after he passed away. I just think it’s odd. I was really hoping to see a nice tribute on 9/11.
110. Eric Johnson | 10.07.09
I saw a picture of the Smithsonian display while doing a school project on bar code history, but it was years ago and can no longer find the picture. I am 99.9% positive it was a 10 pack of Juicy Fruit packs (the 5 piece packs) along with the receipt for the purchase.
I searched and scoured the S.I. American History Museum site but could not find anything about bar code history (many mentions of bar codes on various items – but none on the bar code history display).
I emailed the Smithsonian to clarify. This is how history gets all screwed up (and yes, I saw many of the articles you could reference as why you wrote 10 piece pack).
I’d also like to cite the fact that Wrigley never made 10 piece packs. Only 5 piece and 20 pieces. It is also cited as a 10 pack on the Wrigley Heritage timeline http://www.wrigley.com/global/about-us/heritage-timeline.aspx (click on 1974)
112. jack | 10.07.09
guess I was the only one that got pissed off when I saw the bar code. I mean really WTF? To me it represents that all we are reduced to is a number in the eyes of those in power.
113. roy vanzant | 10.07.09
The first use of barcodes comercially (that I recall) was by railroads for freightcar switching.
114. andy | 10.07.09
I scanned the barcode at work on my LCD monitor with a symbol scanner and it worked just fine. It is scannable.
116. mark | 10.07.09
yep…here it comes. google, just like hollywood movies tells you of your future. you will be coded and scanned. if you don’t believe me. research RFID. This was also talked about on mainstream media as well.
117. Mike | 10.07.09
UPS uses what they have called the “Smart Code.” It has the ability to be scanned in all 360 degrees of location. They developed this so when your package is moving down a conveyor belt it only needs to be facing up to be scanned. Also every smart code reader sends out dozens of lines of light compared to your basic bar code reader that only has one. From pick-up to your door one single package sent through UPS can often be scanned over a dozen times in order to let the customer know exactly where their package is within the UPS system.
119. Jeff from Portland | 10.07.09
I did have to try to scan the barcode on the screen. I used a Handheld Products CE0682. Get this, it scanned, opened up a Window to add a new Favorites folder with the name “New Folder” ??????
120. cynicism | 10.07.09
@brad from cleveland:
Probably the same reason why the world seems to have forgotten the WTC bombing from 1993. Do you think it makes you stand out because you mentioned September 11th? It does, it makes you stand out as someone who doesn’t care about the victims from 1993 enough to even mention them in the same sentence.
121. Dan | 10.07.09
I think they missed an opportunity with Joe Hill’s 130th birthday today. How would they doodle Joe,I wonder?
122. Harmat Gehlon | 10.07.09
I love the google doodles. I crave for information and google all day long. Every now and than i learn something amazing by just coming to google through their doodles. Awesome… and Yes the barcode spells google if you just print it and scan it at target aisle scanners. lol
123. bob9 | 10.07.09
stupidest google logo yet-their festive logos ALWAYS spell google. it would’ve been better if they spelled out google in little letters under the bar code(resembling the usual numbers on a real bar code) or if they stuck long letters in between the bars.
lazy logo on their part.
124. Steve S. | 10.07.09
Today’s Google logo is scannable with any bar code scanner capable of recognizing ASCII_128 code. My Android G1 phone recognized it without a problem. Do not expect ShopSavy to recognize it since it scans only UPC codes. Use other barcode scan application, available on G1 Market like Barcode Scanner.
125. Ted | 10.07.09
Thank heaven it’s your playing around. I thought I had screwed up the program some how and was trying to get back the word GOOGLE where it belonged.
126. weird stuff | 10.07.09
I’m not into all this stuff. I like the plain ole Google emblem. I don’t mind them commemerating things, but like Brad from Cleveland said, why a “57th” annv, and not even 9/11?? Seems kinda weird to me. But I’m sure I’ll just be labeled another negative Nelly. And I have to admit, it gave me a weird feeling too. I don’t like it at all.
127. Luis | 10.07.09
It is a real bar code i just printed it and scanned it with my company’s UPC scanner. It scanned as google.
128. gyo1259 | 10.07.09
I love this information. I hope you with every new doodle you have you put up the info behind the idea. Thanks again for this look at history.
129. Zeeshan | 10.07.09
i thought my laptop got a virus by 1st seeing it, anyways it is always nice to see these smart doodles frm google
131. Richard | 10.07.09
Thanks for posting the explanation for the Google barcode. I was doing several searches and could not figure out what Google was getting at with the barcode (until I did a Google search and got your explanation, that is.)
133. Luis | 10.07.09
It is real, i just printed it and scanned it myself. The barcoed translated to goolge right on my computer screen
134. dragg | 10.07.09
I was surpriced to see the bar code in place of google logo. i thought it is some spam or hack. I just searched for information on that and found this article. Written very well.
136. barry | 10.07.09
to the stupid guy further u pbarcode is ONE WORD. people these days are way to stupid
139. Joe | 10.07.09
Wow. I’m liike a block from that Marsh right now, and I just now learned this! That’s really cool!
142. Edwin Chinos | 10.07.09
Hahaha I like reading everyones comments. Their funny, some are stupid, others are intresting. I say its entertaining =DD
145. Dave C from Canada | 10.07.09
To CVC:
It’s a scanable bar code. Print the picture, scan it into notepad. Laugh after scanning.
“See evil not in the innocuous, but seek it only where it actually dwells. Tempt not fate by false perception”
146. Patricia in NC | 10.07.09
Per Snopes.com,the reference that was made to 666 and the barcode is false.
go to http://www.snopes.com/business/alliance/barcode.asp
149. Calochortus | 10.07.09
The reason it may not scan is because it’s not the universal product code, but another kind explained in the article.
152. Breadfan | 10.07.09
@Brad from cleveland:
What happened on 9/11 57 years ago? And why would Google honour it?
If everyone went by your thinking, Google would have to change their logo for every disaster/attrocity ever! Why specifically 9/11??
Lighten up - it’s only fun!
153. LA Natve | 10.07.09
@ #1 - Bob you are a paranoid nut job!
@ #27 - if you roll your mouse over it on the google page it pops up with “invention of the bar code”
154. Jacob | 10.07.09
Just scanned it with my G1 and it brought up “google” in plain text. I was hoping for a hidden link or something.
155. Petunia Mae Witherbottom | 10.07.09
LOL! I just HAD to find out why Google had a barcode. Thanks, Google Doodle, you made me laugh. Happy 57th Birthday, barcode patent.
156. PeterB | 10.07.09
David(That’s commenter number 38 for you James(who is commenter number 14)),
What you are wondering about is called QR-code otherwise known as Quick Response code. It allows the storage of a larger amount of information in the same space. James….go find your beloved 6 6 6 in that if you wanna go down the rabbit hole of codes. Remember…the devil is in the details.
157. JuNiOr | 10.07.09
just to all you nut jobs out there that think Bar Codes are the mark of the beast and such nonsense give your head a shake. They arent gonna enslave the population with bar codes nor is it mind control. 666 was only pushed upon everyone in mistranslated text. 616 is thought to be the real number of the beast.
Keep up the good work GOOGLE awesome.
EMBRACE technology it’s much like a fork you can use it to feed yourself or poke someone in the eye it’s your choice. Be good to people cause it is the right thing to do not cause a book told you to.
Personally I wouldnt mind a barcode tatoo in an easy concealed place look at it this way if you were in an accident or killed or what ever at least they can easily identify you..
158. TallOak | 10.07.09
Once again Google dazzles and delights!
It’s like opening a surprise gift when you open Google.
160. Srk | 10.07.09
It is good to see that GOOGLE often designs it’s logo according to the situation or scenario. Sometimes I get lot of information from this. Thanx to GOOGLE.
161. dadada | 10.07.09
First time exposure to bar code: Devo album cover. 1979 or so. Bar codes are a Devo-ish thing, aren’t they?
162. Glen | 10.07.09
The bar code was a great invention and its cool to celebrate such a marvelous idea. I do not thing google is to weird for regular people, I feel quite regular today and I can not imagine a world without bar codes…
165. Andrew | 10.07.09
Contrary to popular myth, all bar codes don’t include the number 666. This belief arose because the number six is represented by a pattern similar to that of the guard bars used to mark the beginning, middle, and end of every bar code. Since the guard bars always appear three times in a given bar code, people who mistakenly read them as sixes claimed that the pattern 6-6-6 was embedded in every bar code. However, if you look closely at the ‘6′ in a bar code, you will see that there is a wide white bar either to the left or the right of its pattern (depending upon where within the bar code the number is positioned), which is not the case with the guard bars. The only numbers on the bar code which are scanned are those shown in the conventional numerals underneath it. Amen.
166. Hellooo | 10.07.09
I don’r think that CVC needs about 20 people all telling them the same thing. read other people’s comments!
167. Mary A McKinley | 10.07.09
Turned on my computer, clicked Google and when it came up and I saw what I now know was a “Barcode or bar code”. I had thought something was wrong with the computer. What fun to find what it was all about. From here on I will understand more about those little “patches on my purchases. Thanks Google and Monitor for making my day!.
168. ima dumass | 10.07.09
Hey CVC– It is a real bar code! Just scan it using Code 128. I am surprised noone has pointed this out yet.
178. Fontinella | 10.07.09
There are many different types of barcodes. If you want more information about them, go to http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Barcode
179. Jessy | 10.07.09
I like the history of the barcode. Quite interesting. Quite a real shame that it’s poorly misunderstood by the devout Christian community as a mark of the devil. Thank God I’m Catholic. XD
180. yupyup | 10.07.09
To James, the person who posted the “bar codes are the devil’s mark” comment. Get a life man. Do you seriously believe the devil is trying to take our souls by telling us the price of milk and cheese?
183. Ira Mann | 10.07.09
I did not realize that the bar code used to be made up of circles. Also, it is hard to believe that it’s been around for 57 years. Great Post.
Happy Birthday!
185. GNC | 10.07.09
I love the doodles that Google puts up. It is like a little trivia information provided to us while we are out here searching for our equally trivial information on the internet. A little knowledge never hurt anyone…..
187. shraddha | 10.07.09
it is always interesting to learn about the google doodles…
they are quite informative..
great job…
188. Scott Blake | 10.07.09
VIDEO - Google barcode logo actually scans!!!
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=9mjDex9y60U
189. Waldo T. Boyd | 10.07.09
Bar codes are an example of cryptology. Google could no doubt put up an example of stegenography that would start the questions rolling in!
190. Chris | 10.07.09
Don’t ever stop with the Word Play / Picture Play….
I LOVE it!!!! One of the many reasons I use Google!!!
I check google EVERY DAY… bring it ON!!!!!!!!
193. Luis D | 10.07.09
Another interesting useless information from google> i dont think this information will ever save my life.
Thanx Google!!!!!!!!!
194. angercologist | 10.07.09
I translated this using Code 128B and it spells out “GOOGLEG”
Here are the values of the Bar/Space Weights:
211214 = Start Code B
211313 = G
134111 = o
134111 = o
122114 = g
221114 = l
112214 = e
122114 = g
2331112 = Stop
Can someone verify?
195. Brant | 10.07.09
It scans on my Android phone using ‘Barcode Scanner’. It turns out that it does say Google in plan text
198. Teresa | 10.07.09
This is why i love google. They are awesome. I love history and they offer me good piece of it everyday.
201. Brad | 10.07.09
The sentence “The quick brown fox jumps over the lazy dog,” uses every letter in the alphabet. (Developed by Western Union to Test telex/two communications)
202. carrie | 10.07.09
to brad from cleveland.
maybe it’s because it’s only been 8 years? wait another 2, and then complain.
203. random nerd | 10.07.09
@38 Those are called QR Codes, and they’re able to store more data, however work basically the same: analog depiction of digital data.
204. Naveen Suresh | 10.07.09
It’s Awesome!! Google is always Great for the new things.. The Developers of Google really rock…!!
205. David | 10.07.09
Reply to brad from cleveland
Google celebrates the 57th anniversary of the first bar code patent
If you want to celebrate 9/11, feel free to do so. But don’t be surprised if your popularity doesn’t soar.
206. submariner735 | 10.07.09
Why can’t folks just read the “item of the day” without having to put up comments that detract from the fun of seeing a factoid?!
Keep up the great work “Google”!!!!
208. faith | 10.07.09
regardless of what anybody says…I like the information that comes with the doodles….. no wonder google’s got us hooked!!
209. Brenda | 10.07.09
why would they say it says Google if it dosen’t ? And please, why does everything you read translate into 666 or the end of the world ? Get a life… (it might end soon anyway !?!)
210. Ian UK | 10.07.09
I wonder - are there any “back issues” of the Google logo? In the last few weeks I have started to collect them.
211. Create your own barcodes! | 10.07.09
Create your own barcodes on the Microscan website-
http://www.microscan.com/en-us/TrainingAndResources/CreateBarCodes.aspx#
212. Todd | 10.07.09
You people have way too much time on your hand to be scanning a computer screen over something stupid like this
213. Robert Rack - BarCodeAmerica | 10.07.09
To the person who called the UPC code, Code 39 symbology, it is UPC Symbology. The Google barcode is Code 128 Symbology, a very space effective and Full ASCII data capable 1D barcode type, invented by the late Ted Williams who created many of the barcode symbologies used today. Much more space effective and data capable would be 2D code types like Datamatrix, QR Code, and Micro QR Code types. To the paranoid people who believe the government is out to get you, don’t worry until you get a datamatrix code tatooed at birth along with an RFID chip. Till then you are just out of this world with your beliefs. Due to the built in Reed Solomon error correction and space efficiency, that would make it possible to store enough readable information about you in a tatoo. Significant damage to that datamatrix code would be required before it became unreadable. Any 1D code type (UPC, Code 128, Code 39, EAN, Code 93, Interleaved 2 of 5, etc.) becomes unreadable by passing a single line through the vertical bars and that is not going to do it for human monitoring. That being said, facial recognition pretty much works so you are pretty much trackable right now anyway. Fortunately big brother largely continues to buy software that does not work rather than what actually does. Therefore, silly government acquisition practices insure yor continued freedom for some time. Have a Great Day!
214. wheresheisnow | 10.07.09
This sentence is grammatically incorrect:
“The only difference between the bar code we know today and the one Woodland and Silver invented was that it was comprised of a series of concentric circles, not the 59 black-and-white vertical lines synonymous with the current design.”
Either “comprises” or “composed of” should replace “comprised of.”
“Comprise” is synonymous in use and meaning with “include.”
I wouldn’t usually care, but this was the first search result when I clicked the google icon today.
215. Michael | 10.07.09
I’d rather Google not commemorate the anniversary of any patent. Patents are simply government granted monopolies.
End copyright and patents:
http://www.againstmonopoly.org/
216. Leo Lovelace | 10.07.09
I do not know if it is related to this bar code stuff, but iGoogle’s individual page is simply screwed up today, good job whoever!
217. jorge | 10.07.09
JA JA JA I thought; they are keeping a record of what web sites we are visiting, for marketing or any control purposes, like the chip at the Tip of the Needle by Dr. Ryke Geerd Hamer.
220. wicked | 10.07.09
History is full of these kind of innovations. Something simple but it changes how we do commerce. Well worth recognizing today.
221. John | 10.07.09
David #38… the barcode you are asking about, the target looking code, is called a 2D barcode. Check your mail, you see this type of code on a lot of your billing statements, as well as UPS shipping labels. It contains a lot of the same information that a standard barcode, but because the style and format it is capable of containing a lot more information.
From Wiki:
A matrix code, also known as a 2D barcode or simply a 2D code, is a two-dimensional way of representing information. It is similar to a linear (1-dimensional) barcode, but has more data representation capability.
222. Brian | 10.07.09
@54 Google obviously hates America… why not try Googling your question?
http://www.google.com/search?q=google+doodle+9%2F11
“We are not going to trivialize something that is extremely worthy by reducing it to a doodle. It’s why we won’t do a 9-11 doodle, for example. It would trivialize the event.” - Dennis Hwang
223. gloria foster | 10.07.09
I will not use google again. Just the look of that horrible bar code gives me the shivers.
225. random | 10.07.09
its nice to see that people read the posts before posting… HOW MANY MORE are going to tell cvc that it does scan?!?!
227. Anonymous | 10.07.09
David, they are called a matrix code, 2D barcode or simply a 2D code. See Wikipedia article on Barcode.
228. ChrissyD | 10.07.09
This is really cool, thanks for educating me about the history of the barcode!!
229. Jeff (UPS) | 10.07.09
David, the 2 dimensional barcode that we use is called a “MaxiCode”. It contains the shipping information in a consolidated barcode. UPC barcodes are a modified Code 39. Code 39, like 128, can carry alpha-numeric codes, but a UPC is a 12 digit numeric code used for products. Code 128 is actually a dual layer barcode where you can have additional data embedded but the barcode does not have to be as wide. I work with barcodes on a daily basis.
230. Shannon | 10.07.09
Google… You are so creative, WHERE WAS YOUR SEPTEMBER 11th REMEMBERANCE IMAGE???
FOR SHAME!!!!
232. james | 10.07.09
bar code is one word, even if you separate its constituents with a space. Jus’ sayin’.
233. Sybil | 10.07.09
I don’t like it and think it is a way for someone else to steal your information.
234. Carl | 10.07.09
Well I’ll be darned I thought that Google had been hacked or something…
However, its good that Google has a social conscience…
236. Steven | 10.07.09
#47 - your comment about Google getting to weird for “regular people”. Actually, Google started out as a resource used primarily by computer geeks. We were using it for it’s uncluttered, efficient, versatile and elegant style years before the “regular people” caught on and came over from Yahoo… so let Google geek it up once in a while Makes us old hackers feel nostalgic for the days when Google was ours.
239. its the end of the world | 10.07.09
complete bordom makes us do some wierd stuff. this is one of them
240. Steven | 10.07.09
#155 Google Doodles are designed to be light-hearted & fun. They don’t typically commemorate tragic events such as the Sept 11 2001 attacks in the US.
241. suzy | 10.07.09
Hey Google, I just want to say that this a way cool that you have doodles. I like how very thing goes togather with you guys now that I know about these doodle I want to go to the google website and see all the new doodles that you guys are going to have later down the road. But one thing I just to say is the person who is saying about these 666 bs you shouldn’t talk about that stuff on a website that people look at all the time.
242. ARod | 10.07.09
Love that we’re honoring/commemorating the “birth” of the bar code but no mention was paid in honor of the people that lost their lives on Sept. 11. Nice priorities.
243. Lauren | 10.07.09
All of Datalogic Scanning’s linear imagers and 2D imagers can read the code off the computer screen! http://www.scanning.datalogic.com
244. Eric | 10.07.09
Those of you so afraid of the government please remember you have more to fear from Wally World and Tar’get. They keep a large data base and are not afraid to use it!
245. Tetfsu | 10.07.09
DO NOT SCAN THIS CODE!!! You’ll end up owing someone $140 billion if you complete your order.
246. Jonathan | 10.07.09
I decoded the thing by hand long before checking what others thought. My result was a canonical “Google” in Code 128. With canonical I mean there weren’t even slight correctable errors, so I’m really quite sure this is correct. It being “Google” also boosts the probability it is right tremendously.
Posted in case you think I am more trustworthy than your scanner (or your mobile phone with cheap sensor and decoding algo).
247. Diane TC | 10.07.09
It’s not often that we come across a great marketing idea that is unfailingly fresh, creative, delightful, educational, and generative of so much comment! Thank you, Google, for starting our searches with a grin!
Live long and prosper.
249. John | 10.07.09
@Michael said:
“I’d rather Google not commemorate the anniversary of any patent. Patents are simply government granted monopolies.
End copyright and patents…”
What an idea !! You ought to patent that!
252. Thom Porter | 10.07.09
I love it! I immediately picked up my MyTouch 2, started up “Bar Scanner” and scanned their logo. It comes up:
Found Plain Text
Google
=)
253. Anoynamous | 10.07.09
Ok ok ok ok, WE GET THE POINT. ITS REAL. I read “CVC” and “Its real” and “I scanned…” like 200times.
254. sammy | 10.07.09
it does scan, print it out. use excel, format the cell to text, and there you will have the barcode read: Google
255. truthsolo | 10.07.09
@ Everyone mentioning the number of replies to post #2:
“We do not publish all comments, and we do not publish comments immediately.”
Perhaps many people read the initial batch of published comments & felt a need to reply to such an ironic discovery.. A Google phone that does not read “Google” as a barcode. This was the highlight of the article & comments, I think.
PS: Regarding 9/11, don’t most of Google’s doodles celebrate A) observed holidays, B) revolutionary thinkers, C) technological advances, D) unexplained phenomenon? I never saw an Auschwitz doodle….
256. Jerry | 10.07.09
Google is such a great geeky company. The geeks finally did inherit the Earth (or at least the Internet).
258. Rob Bell | 10.07.09
Wonder how many people, like myself, tried scanning it with their iPhone and RedLaser… only to find, because it’s a non standard barcode, it wouldn’t read.
259. sapirrillya | 10.07.09
when i opened google it freaked me out i was like “what in the world is going on now as the world gone mad!” but it hasn’t the world still sane …or at least as sane as it was before anywho google is still google =)~~~peace out.
260. CubeRaider | 10.07.09
To James (comment 14):
Where on earth are you getting this from? It sounds like you are referring to the common UPC barcodes. The “dividing longer bar code[s]” are not 6s. The start, middle, and end symbols are 101, 01010, and 101, respectively. If you wanted to interpret these as binary values, you could say they represent 5, 10, and 5, but not 6, 6, and 6. In fact, the only 6 I could find in UPC is the fact that the start, middle, and end symbols have a total of 6 bars, which is still a large logical jump away from 666. Even if you do manage to find 666 in barcodes, it’s for the same reason that some people believe in horoscopes. It’s easy to find a nonexistent hidden meaning if you expect it to be there.
262. DarkLordFriggs | 10.07.09
I printed out the google image .gif and scanned it with a bar code scanner and it typed “Google” plus a return 
263. hannah | 10.07.09
cool i would love to know how to make a barcode especially of my name rock on google happy 57th!! : )
265. Brandon Franklin | 10.07.09
This is so awesome. I immediately used command+shift+4 on my mac and copied the picture and printed it off. Well when I scanned it here at work on my gun guess what! IT READ “GOOGLE”(without the quotations)!! AWESOME!! I then processed to the nearest barcode generator and made nametags for my fellow employees in bar code format! haha
267. Nicole McCleaf | 10.07.09
@CVC Actually it does work. Printed it out, then scanned it with a barcode scanner. Spells “Google”. It works!
268. LindaS | 10.07.09
angercologist, You read the barcode but forgot about checksums? I think the final “G” in the “GOOGLEG” barcode is a checksum which confirms the code was read correctly. “Google” is the data, “G” is part of the encoding.
269. lucy | 10.07.09
omg!!!! these are the thing of the past. i mean we use them at stores. how lame! gosh!!!
270. sri | 10.07.09
I Love barcode. Hey guys there is a younger better brother to barcode it’
s QR Code.
Luv u googly
273. Chojin | 10.07.09
To all you haters of the logo;
Get a life. You hate the logo, we get it. What I don’t get is why you’ve gone to such lengths just to tell us you hate it, surely it would’ve been easier, for all of us, if you had just moved on and went about your usual business? Even if you were going to use Google to search for something, then you could’ve just done it instead of wasting your own time, and ours. If you hadn’t have made your comments, then this would be a lot shorter and better to read.
Love it, Google. This has prompted me to check out what other clever doodles you’ve given us. Keep it up =D
274. Susan North | 10.07.09
Freak me out i love it. i learned something cool today. My parents live in Troy Ohio and i have been to that Marsh Supermarket!!!! Troy is a rocking town that is so cool. I just called them and told them they are superstars!!!
Keep it coming Google! You rock too!!!!
275. John | 10.07.09
I work with barcodes and I used ABBY FineReader 8.0 Corporate Edition to scan google’s barcode obtained from a screenshot. It worked perfectly rendering the barcode to say “Google” (That is with a captial “G” lowercase “oogle”).
276. Kelly | 10.07.09
yes indeed this a a ‘real’ barcode and can be scanned right off the screen. if your scanner can’t read it, re-code it. Your scanner that is.
277. Joel Dies | 10.07.09
First of. any bar code is considered readable, you just have to have it zoomed at least 200%, CVC. On that note I work with bar codes EVERY day. more so the Postnet bar code. You can make your own bar code by picking up a bar code font, nothing special needed there. On another note, nothing in that bar code of googles is religiously bound. No 666, you can clearly see that if u compare the last two lines, which on the left side is a fat line and at skinny line close together, and the last one is opposite. Bar codes are fonts, not a mathematical pattern. So if it was 6 6 6, then you would see the exact same lines on the front and tail end of the bar code. Some people should really do there research before posting. You read an article and believe it. Just because a website post something, does not mean it’s the truth. Also, just because your church says something, mean its necessarily true. Same was done for heavy metal in the 80’s about playing there records backwards. Then the record industry did the same to christian artists and had the same results. You can, using math, find 6 6 6 all throughout the bible. So finding a set of numbers using witch hunt methods will always work.
278. Just Sayin’ | 10.07.09
Feels like Google is just one step away from selling out and letting MicroSoft or Apple or some other huge corporation give them a busload of money to use THEIR logo for one days’ Doodle. What if Apple offers them a billion dollars to put the Apple logo up on the 35th Anniversary of the founding of Apple or something? And then before you know it, there will be banner ads all over the Google page. Gone will be the days of the empty, white, uncluttered Google page that we all know and love. Just wait people… just wait.
279. formatviolatoin | 10.07.09
Kids - study your Computer Science.
There is actually a person - paid more than $200K per year with >10000 shares of Google stock who is actually paid to make up stupid headers for the Company website.
Google probably pays more than 200K in a day (productivity time) for 10 propeller heads to sit in a circle and review the GRAND ideas they have created over the last week of doodling.
I would prefer Google fire this propeller head and hire 10 groundskeepers in his place… bring down the 10% unemployment rate.
281. Free Wii Points | 10.07.09
That’s very unique of Google to do that. Too bad it’s not a real barcode. 
282. ron bonks | 10.07.09
dont be so gullible. its just another way to get people wanting another doodle. and therefore using google anyway. marketing of the cleverest order!!!!
283. JahHighestSun | 10.08.09
That is the ugliest, most disgustingly commercial, and disconnected image one could ever imagine. The “education” it provides is pointless and bland. What has happened to us? We are lost in our own minds. We’ve forgotten the natural complexity and beauty that for millions of years shaped our minds and spirits. We cannot survive in this isloation.
286. JaXX | 10.08.09
A barcode scan with ShopSaavy on google’s Android marked comes up with “outsourcing sovereignty: why privatization of Government Functions threatens democracy and what we can do about it”
Sorry, forgot to add great post! Can’t wait to see your next post!
287. Bhanu Prakash Varla | 10.08.09
I was thrilled when I saw bar code on Google , worked for more than 19 years in the field of AIDC ( Automatic Identification & Data Capture) industry , I could Proudly inform everybody about this .
Thanks Google!
Keep it up!
289. GNC | 10.08.09
Ok, first of all to Gloria @223…You will never use Google again because you were freaked out by the bar code? Please, get over yourself. This is possibly one of the most childish statements I have ever heard in my life. Second of all, to all of you out there that are bashing Google for not remembering the fallen of 9/11, Google explicitly states that they do not make doodles for things such as that because they feel that it would trivialize the incident. Way to do your research before posting like idiots on here….good job…
290. Abby | 10.08.09
Heyyy 8>some of you guys are taking thiss way to deeep!! i think google just wanted to do somthing cute and change theirr boring backround for a dayy!!! and chill out its justt a barcode, go to any storee and stare at them if ya want lmao:O!
291. White Man | 10.08.09
@angercologist, you decoded it precisely. Still not sure what the extra ‘g’ is there for, but according to all the people whose scanners read it as ‘Google’, it must be extraneous.
295. Eric | 10.28.09
Here is the reply from the Smithsonian:
Your inquiry of 7 October 2009 concerning the Universal Product Code (UPC) was received in the Smithsonian=s Public Inquiry Mail Service for a response.
The first commercial scan of a UPC took place on June 26, 1974, at a Marsh Supermarket in Troy, Ohio. The first item scanned was a Wrigley’s “10 pak” of Juicy Fruit chewing gum (a 10 unit package of 5-stick packs). The Institution’s Division of Information Technology and Communications houses one of the first UPC coded Wrigley’s “10 pak” packages, but not the first scanned package. Per your request, a digital image of the Smithsonian’s Wrigley’s package is attached.
The Institution’s package of Wrigley’s gum was featured in an exhibition at the National Museum of American History titled Behind the Lines: The Universal Product Code (U.P.C.) at 25 (on view from October 1999 until January 2002). The gum package was used to explain the history and future of the bar code and its effect on business and commerce. Also included in the exhibition was the original bar code symbol and information on how scanning technology works.
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1. bob nogalski | 10.07.09
I am not surprised,after all they work with our govt. they have ability to store info on all who use them.Excellent choice for social engineering .