Which groundbreaking retail technology was invented by James Ritty in 1879 after he was inspired by a tool that counted revolutions on a steamship?

The retail landscape has been transformed by technological innovations throughout history. From manual cash registers to sophisticated digital systems, these inventions have revolutionized how we shop and how merchants operate. This trivia question explores a pivotal technological discovery that fundamentally changed retail operations worldwide and set the foundation for modern shopping experiences.

This is a live public trivia poll on AIPolls.Net. Vote and see real-time results.

The mechanical cash register (nicknamed the 'Incorruptible Cashier')
The barcode scanner (originally called the 'Merchant's Mechanical Eye')
The pneumatic tube payment system (known as 'Cash Carriers')
The automated inventory ledger (called the 'Stock Companion')