Radio data communications transponder technology emerged during the Second World War, where it was used in FoF (Friend or Foe) systems to identify approaching aircraft. Its most recent military application was in identifying containers with equipment during Operation Desert Storm in the 2001 Gulf War. It is now being used fairly extensively in combination with satellite technology, to track the location of vehicles. EAS (Electronic Article Surveillance) systems emerged during the 1970s to prevent theft from retailing and library environments. These products are not necessarily just RFID based, and frequently involve a combination of electro-magnetic, acoustic and magnetic componentry. Induction coupled transponder technology emerged during the 1970s and 1980s. Initially it was targeted at animal identification and access control applications. Its most recent application is in providing an electronic key in addition to the conventional mechanical key for vehicle ignition systems. This offers an additional safeguard against theft of vehicles. E-Field Disturbance communications systems emerged in a limited way during the 80's. It was then used for the identification of railcars. Most recently this form of technology is being further developed for toll road and fleet management applications. New technological developments do however offer the promise to turn this form of technology into an "electronic bar code" system, that will have wide application in logistics management and item identification, and is set to revolutionise the way in which business is run. In European context existing radio frequency regulations will however have to be adapted to allocate radio spectrum for these emerging applications.