Function

• The barcode supplied on each packet identified an assignment area, or AA, for census takers to find addresses that did not respond to the packet, according to the U.S. Census Bureau.
  
  

Significance

• Without the barcode, many people may not have been counted due to problems finding certain addresses. The barcode allowed census takers to triangulate and organize their door-to-door work from day to day, resulting in less errors and more productivity.
  
  

Interesting Fact

• To make the counting process simpler, each barcode with the supplied AA information was in a specific binder, with other geographically related barcoded packets, for each census taker to be assigned. This way, one person had a blocked area entirely, with no overlapping with other workers.