30 Questions
What was the main idea behind Woodland leaving graduate school in 1948?
He was confident he could solve the supermarket dilemma.
Which technology inspired Woodland's solution to the checkout dilemma?
Morse Code
What technology did Woodland and Silver lack to fully realize their barcode invention?
Minicomputer
How was the prototype barcode reader described that Woodland had in his home?
Size of a desk with a 500-watt incandescent bulb
When was Woodland and Silver's patent for the barcode system finally granted?
1952
Why was Woodland and Silver's barcode system considered ahead of its time?
It didn't have the technology advancements like a minicomputer.
What is the author's main source of pleasure when it comes to reading?
Poring over food descriptions
During the author's visit to Italy, what was listed on a supplementary sheet of paper handed to them?
List of white truffle dishes
Where did the author experience the joy of reading both a regular menu and a supplementary sheet?
On a rooftop patio in Florence
What ingredients were mentioned in the phrase 'risotto al nero di seppia, burrata e ricci di mare'?
Pasta with cuttlefish ink, burrata, and sea urchins
'Paccheri pestati cunzati con gamberi, pistacchi e bisque' mentions which seafood ingredient?
Shrimp
What setting made the author feel like a character in a book during their meal in Italy?
Under the Tuscan sun on a rooftop patio
What technology helped to decipher the information from the coded vertical lines?
Laser scanner
Which mass merchandiser was the first to adopt the UPC, leading to its success?
Kmart
In which industry did the bar code technology take off in the 1980s?
Grocery and retail
What did Fortune magazine estimate in 2004 about the usage of bar codes in the top 500 U.S. companies?
80 to 90 percent
What was the primary inspiration behind supermarkets seeking technology like the bar code?
Speeding up checkout process
How has the bar code technology transformed market research and production lines?
Provided statistical evidence
What is one of the main themes explored by the research group at the University of Augsburg?
Culinary extinction
Why did the passenger pigeon go extinct in the early twentieth century?
Overhunting
What was the role of Delmonico's Restaurant in New York City in relation to the passenger pigeon?
Continued to serve passenger pigeon pie despite its declining numbers
What was the purpose of printing a 'ladies' menu' without prices in history?
To prevent women from knowing how much their dates were spending
How did menus contribute to a perception of abundance despite ecological consequences according to the passage?
By maintaining dishes that gave a false sense of plenty
What potential impact did not printing prices on the 'ladies' menu' have according to the passage?
Encouraging women to order more expensive items
What is the main reason QR code menus are considered deeply unpopular?
They are succinct but inconvenient
What is the significance of the menu collection at the New York Public Library?
It provides insights into the dining habits of people in the past
What is one example of a drink that was priced at $0.13 back in 1856?
Siberian cobbler
In terms of current value, how much would a porterhouse steak with sides for $0.50 in 1856 be worth today?
$12
According to writer L.Sasha Gora, why are historical menus important?
They provide archival traces of what people ate or had the opportunity to purchase
What is one potential advantage of physical menus compared to QR code menus?
They can serve as historical documents
Test your knowledge of Italian cuisine by matching menu phrases to their English translations. From risotto to pasta dishes, see how well you can decipher the delicious descriptions.
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