The Invention of Credit CardsIt's not a product of one person's sudden inspiration, but a gradual evolution process. However, the origin of modern credit cards (i.e. the type we use and pay back today) is generally believed to have originated from:

🧠 The originator of modern credit cards: Frank McNamara

📍 Invention time:1950

📍 Invention location:New York, USA

📍 Invention company:Diners Club

✅ Background of the story:

• In 1949, Frank McNamara had dinner with friends at a restaurant in New York.

• When checking out, he found himselfForgot to bring walletVery awkward.

• He had a sudden idea:How convenient would it be if there was a card that could be used in multiple restaurants and settled at the end of the month

✅ Creative implementation:

• The following year, he co founded with friendsDiners ClubA "membership card" has been issued:

  • You can use your card to make purchases at specific restaurants;

  • Send monthly bills to users for unified repayment;

  • Users are required to pay an annual fee.

👉 This is the world's first truly meaningful pictureModern Credit Card。

💳 A Brief History of the Development of Modern Credit Cards

🔁 The predecessor of credit cards: did ancient times also have "credit cards"?

As early as ancient society, there was also a system of "consumption first, payment later", such as:

• The Babylonian periodThe habit of using clay tablets for bookkeeping and credit purchase of goods;

• 19th century AmericaSome stores issue "store ledger cards" to record the consumption of regular customers and settle them regularly;

• At the beginning of the 20th centurySome department stores and gas stations issue "special cards", but they can only be used by the merchant.

However, these cards do not have "universality" and "bank credit support", and are not considered true credit cards.

✅ In summary:

The inventor of modern credit cardsRecognized as an AmericanFrank McNamara, inIn 1950Launching the world's first card that can be used by multiple merchants for unified checkout——Diners Club 卡This marked the beginning of the credit card era.