When were playing cards invented?

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Why: Playing 52 Card Pickup on Save the Planet.

Answer: Four-suited versions of cards existed in China's Song Dynasty (960-1279), India (12th century?), England (mid-13th c.), Naples (1352), and Egypt (late 1300s). In the late 14th century, playing cards spread throughout Europe, seen in Switzerland, Florence, and Paris.

In the 15th century, suits varied, either 4 or 5 of them. In Germany: hearts, bells, leaves, and acorns. In Spain and Italy: swords, batons (or wands), cups, and coins (or rings). The 4 suits we now use (spades, hearts, diamonds, and clubs) originated in France around 1480. The trèfle (club) was probably copied from the acorn and the pique (spade) from the leaf of the German suits.

Court cards evolved as well. Originally, a deck included "chevaliers" (knights) and "knaves" (or "servants"). 56-card decks containing Kings, Queens, Knights, and Valets (borrowed from French tarot cards) were common.

Source: Wikipedia

The More You Know: In 16th century Paris, court cards were all named after historical and mythological figures, such as Julius Caesar (King of Diamonds), Alexander the Great (King of Clubs), Judith (Queen of Hearts), and Judah Maccabbee (Knave of Clubs).