The evolution of digital authentication has seen a gradual shift from traditional password-based systems to more secure, passwordless methods. Initially, passwords were vulnerable to hacking, leading to the development of encrypted password storage and public-key cryptography in the late 1960s. The 1980s introduced the concept of dynamic one-time passwords (OTPs), which evolved into time-based and hash-based protocols and remain widely used today. The late 1990s saw the emergence of single sign-on (SSO), and the 2000s brought multifactor authentication (MFA), combining various passwordless techniques. Influential figures like Bill Gates and companies like Google have advocated for passwordless authentication, highlighting its security benefits over traditional passwords. Technological advancements, such as Apple's Touch ID and Face ID, have further popularized biometric authentication, while mobile businesses like Uber and Lyft have utilized SMS-based magic links for user verification. Despite the rise of these methods, password-based systems are unlikely to be entirely replaced, as the authentication landscape continues to evolve with a growing array of passwordless options.