Robert’s answer to “Hey Bob, In "In the Clearing", a couple of police officers in one of the 1976 sections (approx. p…” > Likes and Comments
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Credit cards were definitely around in 1976 (the year I graduated from high school). They weren't as universally accepted or used as now. Retailers and gasoline companies tended to have their own cards (not associated with Visa or MC). Business people and foreign travelers used American Express. Credit cards were more for big purchases or emergencies and not everyone had them.
Diners Club Card launched in 1950 and the first AMEX card launched in 1958. BankAmericard went national in in 1958 and MasterCard followed in 1966. So, yes, credit cards were in use in 1976.
Everyone has answered this question well. Just thought I would add that to pay with a credit card, the cashier laid your card on top of a credit card machine (manual of course). They had to pull a lever which made a carbon copy impression of your card for billing purposes. All the rage of the day was to ask for the carbon paper used in the process so that your card numbers could not be seen and used without permission.
Definitely had credit cards before 1976!
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Janis
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Oct 29, 2017 08:59AM
Credit cards were definitely around in 1976 (the year I graduated from high school). They weren't as universally accepted or used as now. Retailers and gasoline companies tended to have their own cards (not associated with Visa or MC). Business people and foreign travelers used American Express. Credit cards were more for big purchases or emergencies and not everyone had them.
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Diners Club Card launched in 1950 and the first AMEX card launched in 1958. BankAmericard went national in in 1958 and MasterCard followed in 1966. So, yes, credit cards were in use in 1976.
Everyone has answered this question well. Just thought I would add that to pay with a credit card, the cashier laid your card on top of a credit card machine (manual of course). They had to pull a lever which made a carbon copy impression of your card for billing purposes. All the rage of the day was to ask for the carbon paper used in the process so that your card numbers could not be seen and used without permission.
Definitely had credit cards before 1976!
