QR Codes Explained: From History to Modern Uses (and How to Create Them)

You see them everywhere—restaurant menus, product packaging, advertisements. QR codes have become ubiquitous. But what exactly are they, and why are they so useful? Let us explore this underutilized technology.

QR stands for “Quick Response.” It is a 2D barcode—essentially a compact way to store information that any smartphone can read instantly.

Key facts:

• Invented in 1994 by Japanese company Denso Wave
• Originally used for tracking automotive parts
• Can store up to 4,296 alphanumeric characters
• Read by most smartphones without special apps
• Free to create and use

How QR Codes Work

1. You create a QR code with information (usually a URL)
2. You display it (print, screen, product, etc.)
3. User scans with their smartphone camera
4. Phone recognizes the pattern and decodes it
5. Action happens (opens link, downloads, etc.)

It is that simple!

Why QR Codes Became Popular (Again)

QR codes have been around for 30 years, but really took off during:

• 2020 COVID-19 pandemic - Contactless menus
• Mobile payment adoption - Easier than entering details
• Smartphone ubiquity - Everyone has a camera

Now they are used everywhere, from restaurants to QR code door locks!

Real-World Uses for QR Codes

Business & Marketing

• Product packaging - Link to manual, warranty, reviews
• Business cards - Scan to add contact information
• Event tickets - Digital proof of admission
• Restaurants - Contactless menus

Social & Engagement

• Surveys and feedback - Quick link to form
• Event registration - Scan to join event
• Social media - Link to your profiles
• Contests - Easy entry points

Technical Applications

• WiFi sharing - QR code contains WiFi password
• Meeting links - Scan to join Zoom/Teams call
• App downloads - Link to app store
• Payment - Mobile payment transactions

Retail & E-commerce

• Product details - Link to full product page
• Promotions - Scan for discount codes
• Inventory tracking - Internal stock management
• Returns/support - Quick access to help

Education & Training

• Video lessons - Link to tutorial video
• Documentation - Reference materials
• Attendance - Scan for class check-in
• Assignments - Direct link to submission

Types of Information QR Codes Store

Type	Example	Use
URL	https://example.com/product	Most common
Phone	tel:+1234567890	Call with one scan
Email	mailto:info@example.com	Send email
Text	“Congratulations, you won!”	Display message
WiFi	WiFi credentials	Connect to network
vCard	Contact details	Add to phone
SMS	Text message	Send SMS

Best Practices for QR Codes

1. Make Them Scannable

• Size matters - Minimum 2cm x 2cm (smaller is risky)
• Good contrast - Black code on light background
• Clean environment - Avoid glare and reflections
• Not damaged - Print quality must be high

2. Test Before Publishing

• Scan with multiple phones
• Test on different surfaces
• Verify the action (does link work?)
• Check on different distances

3. Include Context

• Users should know why they are scanning
• “Scan for more details” works better than mystery QR code
• Consider your audience is smartphone literacy

4. Track Performance (If Digital)

• Use URL shorteners with analytics
• Can track scans, location, device type
• Example: bit.ly, TinyURL, custom domain

5. Avoid Excessive Branding

• Do not cover 25%+ of code with logo
• Adding your logo makes code harder to scan
• Keep it simple when possible

How to Create QR Codes

Method 1: Our QR Code Generator Tool

1. Enter your text or URL
2. Generator creates the code instantly
3. Download as PNG, SVG, or PDF
4. Print or display as needed

Advantages:

• No account needed
• Instant results
• Free
• Works offline

Method 2: Online Generators

• QR-Server
• qr-code-generator.com
• Kuarcode

Method 3: Programmatically

If you are a developer:

import qrcode

# Create QR code
qr = qrcode.QRCode(
    version=1,
    error_correction=qrcode.constants.ERROR_CORRECT_L,
    box_size=10,
    border=4,
)
qr.add_data('https://example.com')
qr.make(fit=True)

# Save as image
img = qr.make_image(fill_color="black", back_color="white")
img.save("qrcode.png")

Common Mistakes to Avoid

Making the QR Code Too Small

Users cannot scan it → useless QR code

Poor Contrast

Light code on light background → impossible to scan

Not Testing

Deploy a broken QR code → loss of credibility

Linking to Outdated URLs

QR code becomes dead link → frustrating users

Over-Customizing

Extreme colors or heavy logos → loses scannability

Misleading Content

“Scan for details” but links to ads → trust lost

The Future of QR Codes

QR codes are not going away. They are evolving:

• Dynamic QR codes - Change linked content without reprinting
• Augmented reality - Scan to see AR experience
• Payment systems - International mobile payment standard
• Supply chain - Track products from factory to store

Quick Start: Using Our QR Code Generator

1. Go to our generator
2. Enter your URL or text
3. Customize size and colors (optional)
4. Download the image
5. Print or share immediately

Perfect for:

• Business card QR codes
• Menu links
• Event promotions
• WiFi sharing
• Social media links
• Any quick-share scenario

The Bottom Line

QR codes are simple, effective, and increasingly expected by users. Whether you are a business owner, marketer, or event organizer, knowing how to create quality QR codes is a useful skill.

Use our QR Code Generator tool to create professional codes in seconds—no technical knowledge required!

Sources & Further Reading

This article is based on QR code standards and technical documentation:

• ISO/IEC 18004:2015. Information technology — Automatic identification and data capture techniques — QR Code bar code symbology specification. International Organization for Standardization.
• Denso Wave Incorporated. (2023). “QR Code Documentation.” Retrieved from https://www.qrcode.com/en/
• Bhowmik, Suman & Dey, Smita. (2013). “Analysis of Secure Data Transmission using QR Code.” International Journal of Computer Applications, 68(6), 12-16.
• Zhang, Yashuang et al. (2018). “The Evolution, Challenges, and New Opportunities of QR Codes.” IEEE Access, 6, 28949-28962.
• The Barcode Bureau. QR Code specifications and standards. Retrieved from https://www.barcodeisbn.com/qrcode