A moment in time: Show and tell

Advertising has changed beyond recognition in China in recent years, both in design and how it is displayed. In October 1993, a restaurant owner (above) in a suburb of Beijing hung a blackboard with hismenu written on it around his neck to attract diners. People stopped to see if they would like any dishes on the board, and to talk to the advertiser. Twentytwo years later, in the photo on the right, girls hold QR codes to be scanned by visitors at an ecommerce exhibition in Jinan, the capital of Shandong province. A QR code gives instant access to information about a product on mobile phones and tablets - without the need to talk to anyone.