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I’ve been thinking...

50th Anniversary of Barcode Scanning. Let’s talk about lot numbers, expiration dates, and the FDA.

By Mark Neuenschwander

On this 50th Anniversary of barcode scanning, I’ve been thinking about chewing gum, lot numbers, spinach, expiration dates, medication packaging, and the FDA. On June 26, 1974, a ten-pack of Wrigley’s Juicy Fruit gum was the world’s first bar-coded product scanned at a point of sale. Today, over 10 billion barcodes are scanned between sunrises […]

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I’ve been thinking about the Dodgers, Webinars, leadership, and the importance of sitting near an exit.

By Mark Neuenschwander

My late father-in-law habitually looked for the nearest exit before taking his seat at movies, banquets, or ball games, insisting, “Always be ready to escape a disaster.” My colleagues and I arrived a few minutes late for our last breakout session at a leadership conference. The chairs, maybe one hundred, were facing the entrance. The […]

I’ve been thinking about Boston, Belichick, UPS, and transporting properly prepared IVs to the right patients on time.

By Mark Neuenschwander

Boston is my favorite public transit city. I’m like a kid while being transported by user-friendly Charlie through the labyrinth beneath her historic streets. It’s not uncommon for outsiders to say Bostonians are not so user friendly. Stereotyping suggests they are not terribly diplomatic, sometimes condescending, and always in a rush. Sort of the way […]

I’ve been thinking about empathy, sympathy, and Flip Flops.

By Mark Neuenschwander

Recently, my grandson George borrowed the Haviannas I schlepped home from Sao Paulo for my daughter. He put them on all by himself. We think we may have a fashionista on our hands—a theory further supported a week later when he requested the doctor use fluorescent pink fiberglass to make a cast for his little […]

I’ve been thinking about ants, squirrels, IVs, and weed.

By Mark Neuenschwander

Whoever concluded we are direct descendants of apes must have missed Solomon’s advice about considering ants. Seriously, nonhuman primates travel light. More like ants, we humans spend our days schlepping stuff around. We pack suitcases and briefcases, pull them through airports, stow them overhead, and drag them to taxi stands, hotel rooms, meetings, and back […]

I’ve been thinking about cavalier pilots, intrepid teens, arrogant adults, and overconfident caregivers.

By Mark Neuenschwander

If I remember correctly, I was driving home from the airport while listening to an NPR clip about two airline pilots overflying their destination by 150 miles. The commentator said they “lost situational awareness” while using laptop computers for personal activities. I’m sure these pilots were not dumb, but what they did was stupid. What […]

I’ve been thinking about Joe, two Bernard’s, a couple of Georges, and codes (Morse and bar).

By Mark Neuenschwander

On December 13, 2012, the coinventor of the bar code died at 91. During WW II, Joseph Woodland’s military service involved being a technical assistant on the Manhattan Project in Oak Ridge, Tennessee. I’m told he thought he was working on a cure to cancer and later found out that he contributed to the development […]

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