One of the most important things for a businessman is his business card. It is his identity. It contains information about the individual as well as his outfit. Information included in the business cards include such details as the name of the individual, the post he occupies, contact numbers of his residence and office and his e-mail ID. The importance of business cards is immense. After all, it plays a very important role in bringing people in contact with each other for the first time. Such is the importance of business cards that today no businessman can survive without one. No wonder then that it is extremely common in today's world.
What however would be interesting is to know when and how these business cards actually came into existence. How did they appear in their earliest forms and what kind of information was displayed on them? Which countries were the pioneers in inventing and using the business cards?
Well, one would be flabbergasted to know that business cards are not a modern day phenomenon. Instead, they have a history that can trace back its origin to the 15th century. Yes, you have read it right. Business cards came into existence in the 15th century, and China was the country who invented and used it for the first time. Even there, its reach was confined to the high and mighty who used them to convey their arrival to the concerned member of the family. This practice was then picked up by others in due course of time.
Business cards made their entry in Europe in the 17th century through England. It was used mostly by merchants and was popular as trade cards. These trade cards were a unique lot, for they had maps printed on them, probably to guide people to the shops. There were instances when these trade cards were found to include information about the goods sold by the merchants as well.
Today, however, business cards have undergone complete change. They are available in various colours, designs and most importantly in different price range, giving ample option to people who want to go for one.
