The World of Plastic
Can you imagine a world without credit cards? Until 1
the 1950s, a world without the use of cash was simply
inconceivable. Today an economic universe without
plastic would be impractical. Whether it's for business
or for leisure, the credit card is used to pay for goods
.and services from New York to Beijing
,the 1962 movie, The Man from the Diner's Club. In it
an employee at Diner's Club issues a credit card to a
well-known gangster and has to get it back in order to
It all started in 1949 when Frank McNamara scheduled 2
keep his job. The Ideal Toy Corporation joined in the
a business dinner in a New York restaurant. Before
trend when it created a board game called the Diner's
he left for the dinner, Frank changed suits. When the
Club Game. The idea of the credit card quickly expanded
waiter presented the check, Frank realized that he
outside the United States. The Diner's Club Card
had left his wallet in the other suit. The embarrassing
became the first international charge card in 1952
situation was solved, but that night Frank asked
,with franchises in Canada, France, and Cuba. In 1955
himself: "Why should people
Western Airlines became the first airline to accept
be limited to spending what
the Diner's Club Card. Ten years later, the card was
,they are carrying in cash
accepted by every airline in the United States. Diner's
instead of being able to spend
Club expanded its services to hotels, car rentals, and
what they can afford?" A year
.other businesses
later, Frank returned to the
.same restaurant in New York
When the check came, Frank
handed the waiter a small
cardboard card, a Diners Club
Other famous international credit cards have 4
been created such as American Express, Visa, and
,MasterCard. There are hundreds of local bank cards
department store credit cards, supermarket credit
.cards, and so forth around the world
.Card, and signed for the meal
This event is known in the
In 1984, the first card members rewards program was 5
credit card industry as the "First Supper." Soon the
created, aimed mostly at business travelers. It gave
concept of "charging it" was picked up by merchants
.as an alternative form of payment to the use of cash
.valuable benefits and special privileges to loyal users
By 1952, the Diner's Club Card was accepted by
Now many reward programs offer free airline miles
thousands of businesses across the United States, and
.and discounts on hotels and other products
.it became a status symbol for those who carried it
,Ever since a businessman forgot his cash in 1949 6
people have used credit cards. An entirely new
.The Diner's Club Card soon became a cultural icon 3
business was created that revolutionized the way the
Hollywood cashed in on the "charge-it craze" with
.world has paid for goods and services ever since
