The most widely-implemented automated mail sorting equipment in the world-the Wide Area Bar Code Reader-was developed by the University of Arkansas College of Engineering. A $50,000 grant from the U.S. Postal Service (USPS) to Professors Dwight F. Mix and J.E. Bass in 1989 began the research and development effort. By 1999, more than 15,000 University of Arkansas bar code readers were located in every major USPS facility, increasing the efficiency of processing 20 billion pieces of mail a year at a savings of $200 million. This R&D effort has spawned four additional electronic systems to help the USPS read the mail.
This marker was removed due to nearby construction and will be returned when possible.
Year Placed: 2000