History of credit cards in the U.S. --

Have you ever wondered if consumers started to use credit cards? Several reference books found agree that the history of credit cards began back in the 1860s, when various odd shaped pieces of plastic, copper, steel and other materials were as charge coins known. They were usually issued by department stores of the time, and carried the merchant's logo and a customer number engraved on them. Some department stores and oil companies' cards issued in the early 1900s, which,unlike those of today, have been used only in a few locations.

The era of Bankcard

Bank cards were not on the plan until 1946, when a New York banker named John Biggins created a banking card, customers were asked to try it. If someone bought something in a shop and pay using the card, the bill was then sent to the bank about Mr. Biggin is for processing. The bank paid the store and then the payment by the customer. It must have been a viable concept, otherwise it would notlasted into the 21st Century. Of course, this card does have its limits, because it was a good bank Biggin, and one must have an account there to get even one of the cards. A bank card was greeted with another bank in New York in 1951, but there were only useful for those who had an account with the bank.

Another step forward

The Diner's Club card was created in 1949, and it was first made of cardboard! This was the first credit card after nearlyall, his name and give an indication of what it was used mainly for - entertainment and travel. His popularity grew rapidly, and in 1951, 20,000 people proudly carried the little cardboard cards, which eventually in plastic ten years later in 1961.

American Express had been around since 1850 as an alternative to the U.S. Postal Service. The company invented travelers checks in 1891 and made a feeble attempt to create a charge card for travelers as an addition to travelers checksin 1946, but put it off until it was realized, was how popular the Diner's Club card now. Galvanized into action, were taken to start the business with a pleasant purple card in 1958, and the innovation of the first plastic credit card in 1959.

From the 1940s until the early '60s, aluminum or metal plates with the catchy nickname of "charge-a-plate" jumped on the train and were popular with department store buyers. Charge-a-plates were also some oil companies for the exhibitedComfort of their customers. Size as an army dog tags, and the fronts of these plates were marked with the machine name of each client and the account number, while the back was a special insert paper into the metal, which printed on the name of the shop and the customer's signature had.

In 1966, the first one could be used for anything rang everywhere. Called BankAmericard, it is now the Visa card. Mastercard, formerly Master Charge, came on stage in 1966. TheseThrough credit cards could be worth using over the world.

The history of credit cards is a fascinating insight has revolutionized how a small piece of plastic in the world.