The high five is generally credited to Los Angeles Dodgers baseball players Dusty Baker and Glenn Burke, who reportedly invented the gesture on October 2, 1977, during a game against the Houston Astros. After Baker hit his 30th home run of the season, Burke raised his hand in celebration, and Baker responded by slapping it, creating the first widely recognized high five.

There are other origin stories, such as the one involving Louisville Cardinals basketball players Wiley Brown and Derek Smith in 1978-79, who reportedly invented the high five in basketball context. However, the Baker-Burke moment is the most documented and accepted origin, especially within popular culture and sports history.

Glenn Burke, who was openly gay among his teammates, later helped popularize the high five as a symbol of pride within the gay community, notably in San Francisco's Castro district.

In summary, while multiple claims exist, the most authoritative attribution for the invention of the high five goes to Dusty Baker and Glenn Burke in 1977.