| Credit Cards
In 1950, the Diners’ Club issued the first credit card (invented by Diners' Club founder Frank McNamara) in the United States (restaurant bills only) and American Express followed in 1958. Bank of America issued the BankAmericard (now Visa), the first bank credit card later in 1958. They were first promoted to traveling salesmen (more common in that era) for use on the road. By the early 1960s, more companies offered credit cards, advertising them as a time-saving device rather than a form of credit. American Express and MasterCard became huge successes overnight, and by the mid-'70s, Congress had to start to regulate the credit card industry by banning such practices as the mass mailing of active cards to those who had not requested them.
Money Trivia On March 10, 1862 the first United States paper money was issued. The denominations were $5, $10, and $20. They became legal tender by Act of March 17, 1862.
CREDITCARD Index 1 |