Ever wonder where QR codes came from? Back in 1994, Japanese engineer Masahiro Hara working at Denso Wave developed them with a straightforward goal—tracking auto parts in car factories more efficiently.

But here's the thing: what started as a factory solution exploded into something way bigger. Today, QR codes are everywhere. They're embedded in payment systems making transactions frictionless, plastered across advertising campaigns to bridge physical and digital, managing ticket verification at events, even helping with pandemic safety tracking. The tech that once seemed niche now powers a significant chunk of how we move money, share information, and verify authenticity across industries.

It's a classic case of a tool designed for one purpose becoming essential infrastructure for something entirely different.