The Origin of RFID

RFID's origin story begins with a curious combination of wartime innovation, scientific exploration, and entrepreneurial spirit.

During World War II, the British and American militaries faced a critical challenge of identifying friendly aircraft amidst enemy planes. This led to the development of the "Identify Friend or Foe" (IFF) system, which used radio waves to distinguish between friendly and enemy aircraft.

In the 1940s and 1950s, scientists started experimenting with radio frequency (RF) technology, laying the groundwork for RFID. The first RFID-like device was patented in 1973 in which used a passive tag that could store and transmit data.

Thereafter, in the 1980s, the first commercial RFID systems emerged. RFID's development involved contributions from various fields, including - Radio communication, Computer science, Materials science & Engineering. RFID's evolution was a gradual, collaborative process, driven by innovation and problem-solving.