In which year was the world's first self-checkout system patented, fundamentally changing retail customer experience?

The retail landscape has been transformed by numerous technological innovations over the decades. One of the most impactful developments for consumer behavior and the shopping experience has been the self-checkout system. This invention changed how customers interact with stores, reducing wait times and altering staffing needs. Test your knowledge about this retail revolution that bridged the gap between traditional shopping and today's automated retail experiences.

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1984, by David R. Humble at CheckRobot Inc.
1992, by Howard Schneider at Optimal Robotics Corporation
1998, by IBM's Retail Division under the 'FastLane' project
2001, by NCR Corporation with their 'SelfServ' technology