When did the gift card originate?

Answer 1

The first Gift Cards were produced by SSI Technologies, Edmond, OK for Blockbuster in 1995 after extensive research and test markets.

While SSI may have created the cards for Blockbuster a company from Tulsa, OK called Gift Card Services actually created and performed transactions as a gift card producer and processor in 1994 for a company called One-Hour Photo Pros.

Answer 2

I'm guessing during the reign of Queen Victoria.

Answer 3

1996. There was a lot of gift certificates and other transaction type cards but the first card was for Blockbuster. The idea was patented by SSI Technologies, Edmond, Oklahoma.