The first car key was made in 1878.
The best place to get a spare car key made is the Auto Dealer that sold you the vehicle in the first place. Modern car keys can contain complex electronics that are outside of the capabilities of simple key cutting services to replicate.
What year did the key first appear?
The key that was made with the car is registered to the car chassi-number. VIN number, whatever.
What year is the Civic?
1878
The first ignition key was installed in the 1910 Cadillac. On this car you turned the key and then pushed another button to start the engine. In 1949 Chrysler introduced the ignition key combination as we know it today.
You can always get a brand new key made for a car at the dealership. Keys for older cars can be made at almost any location that makes copies of keys.
Austin Seven
No. Though it is likely to fit some.
Normally when you buy a car, you get a spare set of keys. It really depends on which country you live in and how much different companies charge. So i would have a look around the different key making companies first. :)
On many cars you can go to the dealer and he can cut you a key by your giving him the VIN on your car. I assume you have lost your key and don't have one to get a copy made of. Of coure, you can always have a locksmith make you a key from another lock on your car that uses the same key as the ignition. This is what I would do if I didn't have a key to get a copy made of. I think it would be much more economical to have a key made rather than replacing all of the locks on your car.
The 2000 Saturn LS1 valet key will start the car. It is made to open the driver's side door and start the car.