Somewhat related, I think the history of SSNs is a lesson in things like separation-of-concerns and scope creep. Social Security cards started in 1936 with the

Somewhat related, I think the history of SSNs is a lesson in things like separation-of-concerns and scope creep. Social Security cards started in 1936 with the heading "Social Security Act." In 1946, "For Social Security Purposes Not For Identification." In 1961, "For Social Security and Tax Purposes -- Not For Identification." In 1972, they gave up on "not for identification." As of 2007, the card includes security features such as color-shifting ink and a latent image only viewable from certain angles. It seems the card progressed from simply a medium to convey an account number to the holder, to a high-security proof of eligibility and identity. A system designed in the 30's, explicitly not for identification, is still in use 80 years later for everything from its original design for a single government agency, to medical care, financial credit tracking, taxation, voting, employment, etc. Might we have benefited from re-designing it at some point in the past, instead of overloading purposes beyond what it was created for? http://www.ssa.gov/history/ssn/ssnversions.html http://www.ssa.gov/history/ssn/ssnversions.html