The "Charge It" Movement Begins

[W. Gray]

The year is 1949 and a man by the name of Frank McNamara takes his wife out to dinner in New York.

After the meal, he discovers that he cannot pay because he forgot to put his wallet in his suit.

His wife (history does not say if she was at first reluctant) prevents him from having to wash dishes by digging into her mad money.

But Frank decides he never wants to go through this embarrassment again.

He contacts his attorney and they create the Diners Club with a small office on the 24th floor of the Empire State building.

This is the first consumer charge card and 200 people are asked to join.

Fourteen New York restaurants initially agree to accept the card.

By the end of 1950, 20,000 people carry a Diners Card.

The company grows so much they have to move to the 32nd floor where they keep growing and then have to move to larger quarters on the 77th floor.

Two years after forming the company Frank sells out to Bloomingdales, who had their own Dine and Sign card that they merge into Diners.