It's easy to take credit cards for granted, seeing as how we've had them handy for so long. As a matter of fact, you may not know that credit cards date back as far as the mid-1900s, which is where a bit of history can come into play. As a matter of fact, the man who was responsible for creating the credit card in the first place went by the name of Frank McNamara. Here are just a few of the important details about him, courtesy of Bob Jain.
While the following story about Frank McNamara has since been debunked, it's an interesting tale all the same. For those who do not know, back in 1949, McNamara was in Manhattan, enjoying dinner with someone he worked with. Once the meal was done and the check arrived, he came to the realization that he didn't have money to cover said bill. McNamara's wife soon arrived at the restaurant with the money, but it's been said that this created the idea of credit. As stated earlier, though, this admittedly interesting tale has been proven untrue.
The real story is as follows: McNamara, who was an executive at the Hamilton Credit Corporation, started to see that his business was slipping. He knew that money had to be had, so he suggested the idea of a credit card to his friends. According to financial authorities like Bobby Jain CS, this card would be used in order to cover meals, before being paid for later. This would be an effective option for those who forgot to carry cash. Shortly thereafter, McNamara formed the first American credit card company named the Diner's Club.
For those who do not know, the Diner's Club actually had 27 restaurants it worked with during its onset. To put it into simple terms, if you dined at one of the eligible location, you'd be able to use your credit card there. Anyone who worked on a tight budget, or simply forgot to carry cash, would see this as a worthwhile option. The Diner's Club would make money with fees being placed on the cards in question; these are common with many credit options available today. As Bobby Jain Credit will tell you, this idea was revolutionary for the time.
While the Diner's Club and Frank McNamara's involvement are both great pieces of history, it also paved a path for other companies to follow. As a matter of fact, years after the Diner's Club formed, the likes of American Express threw their hats into the proverbial ring. These companies clearly saw the appeal of credit as a payment option, and wanted to offer their own services. Perhaps they wouldn't have risen to the surface without McNamara starting things off.
While the following story about Frank McNamara has since been debunked, it's an interesting tale all the same. For those who do not know, back in 1949, McNamara was in Manhattan, enjoying dinner with someone he worked with. Once the meal was done and the check arrived, he came to the realization that he didn't have money to cover said bill. McNamara's wife soon arrived at the restaurant with the money, but it's been said that this created the idea of credit. As stated earlier, though, this admittedly interesting tale has been proven untrue.
The real story is as follows: McNamara, who was an executive at the Hamilton Credit Corporation, started to see that his business was slipping. He knew that money had to be had, so he suggested the idea of a credit card to his friends. According to financial authorities like Bobby Jain CS, this card would be used in order to cover meals, before being paid for later. This would be an effective option for those who forgot to carry cash. Shortly thereafter, McNamara formed the first American credit card company named the Diner's Club.
For those who do not know, the Diner's Club actually had 27 restaurants it worked with during its onset. To put it into simple terms, if you dined at one of the eligible location, you'd be able to use your credit card there. Anyone who worked on a tight budget, or simply forgot to carry cash, would see this as a worthwhile option. The Diner's Club would make money with fees being placed on the cards in question; these are common with many credit options available today. As Bobby Jain Credit will tell you, this idea was revolutionary for the time.
While the Diner's Club and Frank McNamara's involvement are both great pieces of history, it also paved a path for other companies to follow. As a matter of fact, years after the Diner's Club formed, the likes of American Express threw their hats into the proverbial ring. These companies clearly saw the appeal of credit as a payment option, and wanted to offer their own services. Perhaps they wouldn't have risen to the surface without McNamara starting things off.
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