This year, June 30th marks the 15th anniversary of The Electronic Signatures in Global and National Commerce Act, a piece of legislation passed to facilitate the use of electronic records and signatures in domestic and foreign commerce. This infographic gives a brief history of electronic signatures, which have (technically) been used since the mid 1800's!

1. eSigning 101: What, Why, When & How • 6
A QUICK HISTORY OF eSIGNATURES
Some may think that eSignatures burst into the business world following the passing of ESIGN. But really,
the history of eSignatures goes back much farther. Below is a high-level history of eSignatures, as well as
groundbreaking laws and mandates that helped accelerate adoption:
Mid-1800s
Government officials
and businesses use
Morse code and the
telegraph to electronically
accept agreements.
1980s
Fax machines are the
most popular devices to
electronically send contracts
and other important
documents between people
and businesses.
1999
The National Conference of
Commissioners develops
the Uniform Electronic
Transactions Act (UETA). UETA
provides a legal framework
for the use of eSignatures and
records in government and
business transactions.
2000
The Electronic Signatures
in Global and National
Commerce Act (ESIGN) is
signed into federal law. The
law states that a document or
signature cannot be denied
legal effect or enforceability
because it is in electronic form.
2007
Apple releases the iPhone,
which becomes one of the
world’s most popular mobile
devices. Widespread adoption
of touchscreen devices
is increasing demand for
allowing eSigning on the go.
2010
Mobile app and payment
company Square launches,
empowering consumers to
sign for products and services
directly on mobile screens.
eSigning 101: What, Why, When & How • 6