Credit Card -

Before McNamara's cardboard card, merchants in the 1800s and early 1900s used metal coins or "Charga-Plates" to let regular customers buy on credit locally.

Secret History Of The Credit Card - Interviews | FRONTLINE - PBS credit card

The modern credit card was actually born from an awkward moment at a dinner table in 1949. The "First" Card: A Forgotten Wallet Before McNamara's cardboard card, merchants in the 1800s