On 2 May 1966, Scottish engineer James Goodfellow filed UK Patent No. 1,197,183, introducing the Personal Identification Number (PIN) system that revolutionised banking security and enabled the development of the modern Automated Teller Machine (ATM).
Working as a development engineer at Kelvin Hughes, Goodfellow was tasked with creating a secure method for customers to access cash outside of banking hours. His solution combined a machine-readable encrypted card with a numerical keypad, allowing users to enter a secret PIN known only to them. This two-factor authentication method ensured that only authorised individuals could withdraw money, setting a new standard for banking security.
Despite the significance of his invention, Goodfellow received only a £10 bonus from his employer and little recognition for many years. It wasn’t until 2006 that he was appointed an Officer of the Order of the British Empire (OBE) for his services to banking.
Goodfellow’s pioneering work laid the groundwork for secure electronic transactions, and his PIN system remains a fundamental component of banking and payment systems worldwide.
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With information from: History hit / The Guardian / Wikipedia
