The Fascinating History of Credit Cards:

When Did They Begin?

The modern credit card as we know it today has its roots stretching back over a century.

The concept of "buy now, pay later" has existed in various forms for centuries, but it wasn't until the early 20th century that the first iterations of the modern credit card began to emerge.

One of the earliest precursors to the credit card was the "charge plate," which was introduced in the 1920s.

These small, metal plates were emblazoned with a customer's name and account number, and were used to imprint sales information onto paper sales slips.

Merchants would then send these slips to the issuing company for payment.

📋 The first true credit card as we recognize it today was the Diners Club Card, launched in 1950.

Exploring the Intriguing Origins of Credit Cards: A Journey Through Financial Innovation