Holy Kaw! All the topics that interest us

Pictorial history of the credit card

Media_httpdldropboxcomu102435screen20shot202009120820at207364520pmjpg_wlfiikcesxiebzq

Did you know that the credit card was invented because, as you might guess, someone went out to dinner and forgot to bring cash? It was 1951, and the inventor was Frank McNamara. You can see the pictorial history of plastic money—actually, credit cards weren’t plastic until American Express introduced a plastic card in 1959. A year before, Bank of America passed out 60,000 cards in Fresno, California to people who didn’t even ask for them.

Save time reading news by creating a personalized MyAlltop page.


Comments (8)

Dec 08, 2009
jeff harlan said...
Not alot here. Where's the pics?
Dec 08, 2009
brucecolwin said...
Surprisingly brief history.
Dec 08, 2009
Guy Kawasaki said...
I was just testing you guys.
Dec 09, 2009
Arnab Roy said...
Testy after the test - Guy!! I am sure there is more somewhere...
Dec 09, 2009
Sam Meilach said...
I've been watching season 1 of the Flintstones (1960) and many times Wilma says to Betty "Charge!!!!!" (to use their credit card). I didnt know credit cards were popular almost 50 years ago. It's interesting to watch old TV shows as you get to see the prices at the time. For example, Fred was happy to be making a salary of $450 PER MONTH.
Dec 09, 2009
Lori said...
Click the Pictorial history link to view.
Dec 09, 2009
AdaMarcom said...
The American Express Executive Card looks nice, surprised that the design hasn't really changed all that much over the years. The fingers are a bit creepy though...

I owned the Chase Manhattan Visa at one point...man, it dates one's age (or era) by telling what card you've owned.

Dec 09, 2009
Hill Roberts said...
Thanks for the info--I never knew.

Leave a comment...