In which year was the world's first self-checkout system patented, marking a major milestone in retail technology innovation?

The retail landscape has been transformed by numerous technological innovations over the decades. One of the most significant advancements that changed the in-store shopping experience was the introduction of self-checkout technology. This innovation reduced wait times, provided customers with more control over their shopping experience, and revolutionized staffing models in retail establishments worldwide. Test your knowledge about this retail technology milestone!

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1984, by David R. Humble while working at CheckRobot
1992, by Howard Schneider at Optimal Robotics Corporation
1977, by IBM's Retail Systems Division
2001, by NCR Corporation as part of their FastLane initiative