When were credit cards invented?

The credit card was first invented in 1946 by John Biggins. He was a banker in Brooklyn and created a bank card named Charg-It. Users had to be customers of his bank, and purchases could be made only with local retailers.

Franklin National Bank was responsible for releasing the first bank credit card for its customers that had loan products. American Express released a credit card in 1958. This charge card was used for entertainment and travel purchases. Like most cards during this time, the card was made of either cardboard or celluloid. American Express invented the plastic credit card and released the first one in 1959.