The Ancient Romans used the earliest form of bank checks although it was much simpler than the method used today. There is recorded evidence that they used what were called praescriptiones as early as 100B.C. After about four hundred years, bankers in the Persian Empire started using a similar system of credit.
In The Medieval Period
During the middle ages, Europeans also made use of their own bank check system. To prevent theft, the Knights Templar was developed. This banking system would keep a person's money for them while that person traveled cross-country. The person was responsible for holding a proof of claim draft, which would allow them to retrieve their money. This proof of claim draft was the earliest known form of a paper check, similar to that of today. It is believed that this was inspired from the Muslims that had utilized this method a few hundred years before.
Bill of Exchange System
Today's check system is derived from the "bill of exchange" which was developed in earlier times by the bankers of that period. This system allowed bankers to receive bill payments by making use of bank mandated orders. People were then able to buy and sell goods without handling gold or other currency, making trade much easier and safer for the merchants.
Bank checks in the United States
Bank checks made their way to the United States by the Europeans during the Colonial period. Since the Europeans had already been dependent on the system since the early 1700s, it didn't take long for the Americans to adopt the system. Of course, the bank systems continue to evolve, especially in the past century, thus more control and security exists in present time. Bank checks pose as a form of protection to the consumer.
