I have a Milton Bradley "Operation" skill game with a copyright year
of 1965. I noticed on the side of the box is a bar code. Is it
possible for a bar code to be displayed way back in 1965?

Dear jay2557-ga,
It depends on what type of barcode is on the box.

'Operation' was filed as a trademark on July 14, 1965 by Milton Bradley
"IC 028. US 022. G & S: EQUIPMENT SOLD AS A UNIT FOR PLAYING AN
ELECTRICAL TYPE PARLOR GAME. FIRST USE: 19650301. FIRST USE IN
COMMERCE: 19650621"

Source: US Trademark registration
http://tess2.uspto.gov/bin/showfield?f=doc&state=foki63.7.1
If this link does not work go to their home page and search under Trademarks.
http://www.uspto.gov/


This link is to a history of barcodes. Briefly, it states that in 1966
the first commercialised bar code appeared but the product codes were
represented by "bull's-eye barcodes", a set of concentric circular
bars and spaces of varying widths. It was not until 1974, with the
introduction of scanners capable of reading the bar code, was the
system implemented in supermarkets and the retail world.
Source
http://www.adams1.com/pub/russadam/history.html

Additional information can be found at 
http://inventors.about.com/library/inventors/blbar_code.htm


I hope this answers your question. If it does not, or the answer is
unclear, then please ask for clarification of this research before
rating the answer. I shall respond to the clarification request as
soon as I receive it.
Thank you
answerfinder


"bar codes first used"
://www.google.com/search?hl=en&ie=UTF-8&oe=UTF-8&q=%E2%80%9Cbar+codes+first+used%E2%80%9D

"bar codes" invented
://www.google.com/search?hl=en&lr=&ie=UTF-8&oe=UTF-8&q=%E2%80%9Cbar+codes%22+invented

It is more likely to be of later origin with the original Copyright
Year still being used.