When was biometrics first used?
In recent years, biometric authentication has entered the mainstream; facial recognition on smartphones, technologies to speed up the airport experience, finger print access to online banking apps, or even biometric payment cards are just a few examples. While it may appear to be a novel notion, biometrics has been around for decades. Biometrics can be traced back to ancient times when fingerprints and handprints were used to sign and seal documents. The application of biometrics as a tool for identification and security purposes began in the late nineteenth century with the work of Alphonse Bertillon. In 1879, a French police officer established an anthropometry method that involves measuring numerous physical traits such as height, weight, and the size of the head, arms, and feet to identify criminals. This approach was widely utilized by police agencies around the world and was regarded the gold standard for identification until the early twentieth century. In the early 20th c...