: American Express launched its first card, and Bank of America introduced the "BankAmericard," which eventually became Visa .
: It was the first multipurpose charge card. Within a year, it grew to over 42,000 members and was accepted at 27 restaurants. Evolution of the "Plastic" Era credit card
: In the 1960s, IBM designers struggled to attach magnetic tape to cards until an engineer's wife suggested ironing it on , which worked and paved the way for modern swiping. A Useful Lesson: The "Freeloader" Paradox : American Express launched its first card, and
The modern credit card was actually born from an awkward moment at a dinner table in 1949. The "First" Card: A Forgotten Wallet Evolution of the "Plastic" Era : In the
: A few months later, he returned to that same restaurant and paid using a small cardboard card—the Diners Club card .
: To settle the bill, his wife had to drive down and pay for him, an embarrassment he didn't want to repeat.
Secret History Of The Credit Card - Interviews | FRONTLINE - PBS