-Julie Pacheco
How it works:
Retinal scans analyze the patterns of blood vessels at the back of one's eye. These patterns are unique to that individual and at this point in time cannot be replicated. The individual looks through an opening on the scanner and focuses on a light for several seconds, generally 15-20. During this time, the device reads the retinal patterns, and identifies the individual. Retinal scanners are generally used in high-end security locations, such as military and bank facilities.
1930's:
The theory behind the retinal scan is actually one of the oldest biometrics technologies. Research in the 1930's suggested that the blood vessels at the back the eye form patterns unique to each individual.
The retinal biometrics are put to use, when the first retinal scan is made by EyeDentify. The Eyedentification 7.5 was the first retinal scan developed for commercial use.
Sources:
http://ctl.ncsc.dni.us/biomet
web/BMRetinal.html
http://www.lowrycomputer.com/technologies/biometric_id/retinal_scan/