Customize Consent Preferences

We use cookies to help you navigate efficiently and perform certain functions. You will find detailed information about all cookies under each consent category below.

The cookies that are categorized as "Necessary" are stored on your browser as they are essential for enabling the basic functionalities of the site. ... 

Always Active

Necessary cookies are required to enable the basic features of this site, such as providing secure log-in or adjusting your consent preferences. These cookies do not store any personally identifiable data.

No cookies to display.

Functional cookies help perform certain functionalities like sharing the content of the website on social media platforms, collecting feedback, and other third-party features.

No cookies to display.

Analytical cookies are used to understand how visitors interact with the website. These cookies help provide information on metrics such as the number of visitors, bounce rate, traffic source, etc.

No cookies to display.

Performance cookies are used to understand and analyze the key performance indexes of the website which helps in delivering a better user experience for the visitors.

No cookies to display.

Advertisement cookies are used to provide visitors with customized advertisements based on the pages you visited previously and to analyze the effectiveness of the ad campaigns.

No cookies to display.

Skip to content
Home » Who created checks?

Who created checks?

In the realm of financial history, the creation of checks marks a significant development, particularly in the United States. Towards the conclusion of the 17th century, these instruments began to emerge, ushering in a new era of monetary transactions. However, it wasn’t until 1762 that the first printed versions of checks were introduced, a milestone credited to the British banker Lawrence Childs. Prior to this innovation, checks were handwritten, akin to informal promissory notes or IOUs exchanged between parties.

The introduction of printed checks by Lawrence Childs in 1762 revolutionized the way financial transactions were conducted. These early checks provided a more formalized and secure method for individuals to make payments without the need for direct cash exchanges. As a result, the convenience and reliability of checks quickly gained popularity, spreading beyond the United States to become a staple in global banking practices.

Lawrence Childs’ contribution to the evolution of checks cannot be overstated. His innovation laid the foundation for the modern banking system’s reliance on check payments. From handwritten IOUs to printed, standardized checks, the evolution of this financial instrument has greatly influenced the efficiency and security of monetary exchanges worldwide.

(Response: Lawrence Childs is credited with creating the first printed checks in 1762, although checks were used in a handwritten form before this time, resembling IOUs.)