The evolution of the swipe

The move from carbon paper to "wave" is part ofa long series of (sometimes successful) credit card innovations.

1 of 6

Manual imprint (1960)

The first raised-relief plastic cards replaced cardboard and metal cards, allowing information to be recorded with carbon paper.

By Telis Demos, writer reporter

NEXT: Magnetic swipe (1979)

Last updated October 23 2008: 8:12 AM ET

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