New Delhi: Indian Railway Accounts Service (IRAS) officer Ananth Rupanagudi (1997 batch) recently shared an engaging video on social media, shedding light on the inspiring story of QR codes and their inventor, Masahiro Hara.
Rupanagudi’s post carried a short message on the impact of QR codes. He highlighted how the world-changing concept was never patented, making it universally accessible. His post linked to a video that captured the origin and evolution of this invention.
The concept of QR code, how it changed the world for which there was no patent! #QRCode #invention pic.twitter.com/74fW8l1sIn
— Ananth Rupanagudi (@Ananth_IRAS) August 20, 2025
The Story of Masahiro Hara
The video introduced Masahiro Hara, the Japanese engineer behind QR codes. His inspiration came from playing the strategy board game Go, which uses a black-and-white grid. Drawing from its design, Hara developed QR codes to store and share information quickly.
Instead of restricting its use with patents, Hara chose to make QR codes free for all. His decision allowed the technology to spread globally, revolutionizing payments, communication, and daily interactions. Today, QR codes are a digital lifeline across industries, from retail to healthcare.
A Message for Innovators
The video closed with a thought-provoking message: true change comes when knowledge is shared. Masahiro Hara’s selfless act in releasing QR codes without patents stands as an enduring reminder that innovation thrives when kept open and accessible.
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