The practice of exchanging cards has a long and interesting history that can be traced back to the 15th Century. In today’s modern business environment, the action of giving business cards is a valued tradition and varies within each country and industry.
Experts have traced the origin of business cards back to the 15th century in China where ‘visiting cards’ would be giving to show the intention of meeting with another individual. Much like today, these visiting cards were an essential tool of self-promotion and forging an introduction especially for the upper classes.
During the 17th century, the practice of exchanging cards grew strongly within Europe as footmen of the aristocracy or royalty would present these cards to the servants at the home of a host to announce the impending arrival of a distinguished guest. The giving and receiving of these cards was tangible evidence of meeting one’s social obligations.
The social etiquette in the 18th & 19th century, was if a gentleman was to visit a household they must give a ‘calling card’ to each lady on the initial visit. The servant of the house would greet the visitor and outreach a card tray for the visitor to place their card on and to wait outside whilst the card was examined and to decide their acceptance.
Later in the 17th century merchants within London began to use ‘trade cards’ which were vital promotion tools to inform customers of the business’s location and the services they provided. These cards would be handed out to the public in squares and marketplaces and were very serious as they were vital to the business operations.
During the Industrial Revolution the middle class experienced rising income growth and social formality lessened. A class of private entrepreneurs emerged within Europe and the United States that had a constant need to exchange contact information. As a result, they merged the idea of a visiting and trade card to produce the first variation of the modern business card which were handed out at presentations and exhibitions. By the 1890s in the US, the uses of business cards became widespread and the cards achieved their current level of ubiquity by the early 20th century.
Today’s business cards come in a wide variety of shapes, sizes, designs and materials. The standard plain card is a feature of the past where now a catchy detailed design and look is just as important as the contact information. The practice of handing out cards is widespread throughout the globe but the traditions and cultural values still vary from country to country. After four centuries of development and use, business cards purposes have evolved to the central means of exchange and respect between business partners. Important factors about the cards have remained the same as they are still an important means of introduction and the first impressions really do matter.
Here at SMC we have a wide range of new stylish Stainless Steel Business Cards available. If you would like to keep up with the evolution, then a Stainless Steel Business Card is the newest innovation that makes a strong and unforgettable impact.
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Sources: Design Float, Sage Media
Elle T. // SMC Editor