††††A credit card is a card issued by a bank, large store or credit company which enables the holder to buy goods or services and to pay for them later.
Ralph Scheider introduced the forerunner of the credit card in 1950: the Diners Club card was initially accepted in 27 restaurants in New York. Credit was only given until the end of the month though, when it had to be paid off completely.
'Intelligent' credit cards are now being issued that contain coded information about the customer and the amount of credit still available.
