Developer's Den >> History Of Smart Cards

Smart cards Basics

Smart cards are not a new invention.They first appeared as early as 1974, created by Moreno/Innovation, although it was in 1982 that the first serious trials took place in France. By 1985 French banks were convinced of the benefits of the smart cards and began working seriously on the Technology conversion. By 1993 they were issuing cards to 22 million customers.

Smart cards are already a part of everyone's lifestyle in many European countries. At present there are more than 100 million pay phone cards and more than 22 million bank cards in use in France. About 80 million health cards have been issued in Germany and more than 50 countries have implemented pay phone technology & electronic wallet.

UK has implemented the full size contact card technology as a viewing card for satellite television services.