When Did ATM Machines Come Out and Change Banking Forever

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A man wearing a mask using an ATM machine outdoors for cash withdrawal.
Credit: pexels.com, A man wearing a mask using an ATM machine outdoors for cash withdrawal.

The introduction of ATM machines revolutionized the way we bank and interact with our finances. The first ATM was invented in 1967 by John Shepherd-Barron, a British engineer.

ATM machines were first introduced in the UK at Barclays Bank in Enfield, London, on June 27, 1967. The first ATM dispensed £10 notes.

The first ATM was invented by John Shepherd-Barron, who was inspired by the idea of a cash dispenser after seeing a safe that used a combination lock.

Early History of ATMs

Luther Simjian is credited with inventing the first automated banking machine, the Bankograph, which could accept cash or check deposits at any hour of the day or night.

In 1960, Simjian managed to persuade a New York City bank to take a few of his automatic-deposit machines, but they didn't catch on due to limited usage by a specific group of people.

The Bankograph had a microfilm camera inside that took a snapshot of every deposit and provided customers with a copy of the photo as their receipt.

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By the end of the 1960s, people became more comfortable with self-service and unfamiliar technologies, making automated banking more appealing.

In 1967, Scottish inventor John Shepherd-Barron had a flash of genius while sitting in the bathtub, realizing that vending machines could dispense cash, and he developed the first ATM.

Shepherd-Barron's first ATM was installed in a Barclays branch on Enfield High Street and used paper vouchers with radioactive ink for identification.

The first automated banking machine in the U.S. was devised by Dallas engineer Donald Wetzel, who used plastic cards with magnetic strips to store account information.

Wetzel's machine was installed in a Chemical Bank branch on Long Island in September 1969.

Luther Simjian also came up with the idea of a "hole-in-the-wall machine" that would allow customers to make financial transactions, but it didn't gain much traction in 1939 when he field tested it at what is now Citicorp.

Inventors and Pioneers

Meet John Shepherd Barron, the inventor of the world's first ATM machine. John Shepherd Barron was the managing director of De La Rue Instruments, the company that made the first ATMs.

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In 1967, the first ATM machine was installed in a branch of Barclays in Enfield, North London. This machine was called the De La Rue Automatic Cash System (DACS) and was later known as Barclaycash.

The first person to use a cash machine was actor Reg Varney, who withdrew cash from the ATM on June 27, 1967. He was a celebrity resident of Enfield known for his part in a number of popular television series.

The DACS machines used cheque-like tokens that had been impregnated with a radioactive compound of carbon-14. The radioactive signal was detected by the machine and matched against the personal identification number (PIN) entered on a keypad.

John Shepherd Barron's wife, Caroline, helped refine the idea of a PIN. Initially, a six-digit PIN was proposed, but Caroline found that she could only remember a four-digit PIN. As a result, four-digit PINs became the world standard.

The first American order for a John Shepherd Barron ATM was placed after he spoke at a bankers' conference in Miami in 1967. Six ATMs were installed at the First Pennsylvania Bank in Philadelphia.

Here are some key facts about John Shepherd Barron:

  • John Shepherd Barron was born on June 23, 1925, in Shillong, Assam Province, British India (present-day Meghalaya, India).
  • He was an inventor and the managing director of De La Rue Instruments.
  • John Shepherd Barron never patented his ATM invention, choosing to keep it a trade secret.
  • He died on May 15, 2010, at the age of 84 in Inverness, Scotland, United Kingdom.

Modern Prototypes

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The modern prototype of the ATM was first developed in the 1960s by a team led by John Shepherd-Barron, who is often credited with inventing the first ATM.

The first ATM prototype, called the De La Rue Automated Cash System, was a large machine that could only dispense £10 notes and required a special card to operate.

The first ATM was installed in Enfield Town, London in 1967, and it was called the De La Rue Automated Cash System.

The first ATM could only dispense £10 notes, which was a significant amount of money at the time.

The first ATM was a large machine that took up a lot of space, making it impractical for widespread use.

However, the development of the ATM led to the creation of smaller and more efficient machines that could perform a wide range of tasks.

Key Figures

Don Wetzel was the co-patentee and chief conceptualist of the automated teller machine. He came up with the idea while waiting in line at a Dallas bank in 1968.

Credit: youtube.com, How ATM Works

Don Wetzel was the Vice President of Product Planning at Docutel, the company that developed automated baggage-handling equipment. Tom Barnes, the chief mechanical engineer, and George Chastain, the electrical engineer, were also listed as inventors on the Don Wetzel patent.

It took five million dollars to develop the first ATM. The concept first began in 1968, with a working prototype coming about in 1969.

Introduction and Spread

By the end of the 1960s, people were more comfortable with self-service and unfamiliar technologies, paving the way for automated banking.

In 1967, a Scottish inventor named John Shepherd-Barron had a flash of genius in the bathtub, and his first ATM was installed in a London bank soon after. It used paper vouchers with radioactive ink instead of plastic cards.

The first automated banking machine in the US was devised by a Dallas engineer named Donald Wetzel, who used plastic cards with magnetic strips, just like the ones we use today. His machine was installed in a Chemical Bank branch on Long Island in September 1969.

By 1970, dozens of US banks had jumped on the ATM bandwagon, using advertising tricks like a movie marathon to introduce the new machines to consumers.

Frequently Asked Questions

What did the ATM do in the 1960s?

In the 1960s, the ATM dispensed cash to customers who inserted paper vouchers obtained in advance from bank tellers. This early ATM version marked the beginning of automated banking.

Were there ATMs in 1979?

Yes, ATMs existed in 1979, as evidenced by the Money Access Center (MAC) network, one of the first in the nation. This marked the beginning of widespread ATM banking in the United States.

Were there ATMs in 1984?

Yes, there were ATMs in 1984, with 100,000 installed worldwide. The number of ATMs has since grown significantly.

Who was the first person to use an ATM?

The first person to use a cash machine was Reg Varney, an actor from the British sitcom "On The Buses", in 1967. This pioneering use of an ATM marked the beginning of a new era in banking technology.

Were there ATMs in 1980?

ATMs were introduced to banks in the 1980s, marking a significant shift in banking technology. This introduction paved the way for the evolution of bank branch operations and employment.

Rodolfo West

Senior Writer

Rodolfo West is a seasoned writer with a passion for crafting informative and engaging content. With a keen eye for detail and a deep understanding of the financial world, Rodolfo has established himself as a trusted voice in the realm of personal finance. His writing portfolio spans a range of topics, including gold investment and investment options, where he provides readers with valuable insights and expert advice.

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