Diners' Club Credit Card, United States, 1957

Diners' Club Credit Card, United States, 1957

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Description
Founded by Frank McNamara in 1950, the Diners' Club Card was among the country’s earliest charge cards. Before the time of plastic credit cards or digital payments, being freed from carrying an excessive amount of cash by simply presenting you Diners’ Club card was novel. At the end of the month, Diners’ Club would bill their members and send the payment to the restaurant, taking out a 5-7% processing fee. Alfred Bloomingdale’s charge card company, “Dine and Sign” merged with Diners’ Club in 1951, when he became The Diners’ Club president. Alfred Bloomingdale used this card prior to its expiration date on September 30, 1957.
Object Name
credit card
date made
1957
maker
Diner's Club of America
place made
United States
Physical Description
paper (overall material)
Measurements
overall: 5.5 cm x 9.9 cm x.3 cm; 2 5/32 in x 3 29/32 in x 1/8 in
ID Number
NU.72.66.31
catalog number
72.66.31
accession number
301409
serial number
2000
Credit Line
Bloomingdale, Alfred
See more items in
Work and Industry: National Numismatic Collection
American Enterprise
Coins, Currency and Medals
Exhibition
American Enterprise
Exhibition Location
National Museum of American History
Data Source
National Museum of American History
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