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Business cards - used for the past 500 years!
Business cards are cards bearing business information about a company or individual.
They are shared during formal introductions as a convenience and a memory aid.
Business cards are frequently used during sales calls (visits) to provide potential customers
with a means to contact the business or representative of the business. A business card
typically includes the giver's name, company affiliation (usually with a logo) and contact
information such as street addresses, telephone number(s), e-mail addresses and website.
Traditionally business cards were simple black text on white stock; today a professional
business card will sometimes include one or more aspects of striking visual design. The
business cards we use in our everyday lives have evolved from a fusion of traditional trade
cards and visiting cards.
Business cards are cards bearing business information about a company or individual.
They are shared during formal introductions as a convenience and a memory aid.
Business cards are frequently used during sales calls (visits) to provide potential customers
with a means to contact the business or representative of the business. A business card
typically includes the giver's name, company affiliation (usually with a logo) and contact
information such as street addresses, telephone number(s), e-mail addresses and website.
Traditionally business cards were simple black text on white stock; today a professional
business card will sometimes include one or more aspects of striking visual design. The
business cards we use in our everyday lives have evolved from a fusion of traditional trade
cards and visiting cards.
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Visiting Cards
Visiting cards (also known as calling cards) first
appeared in China in the 15th century, and in Europe
in the 17th century. The footmen of aristocrats and of
royalty would deliver these first European visiting
cards to the servants of their prospective hosts
solemnly introducing their arrival.
Visiting cards became an indispensable tool of
etiquette, with sophisticated rules governing their use.
The aristocracies of North America and the rest of
Europe adopted the practice from French and English
etiquette.
Visiting cards included refined engraved ornaments
and fantastic coats of arms. The visiting cards served
as tangible evidence of the meeting of social
obligations. The stack of cards in the card tray in the
hall was a handy catalogue of exactly who had called
and whose calls one should reciprocate. They also
provided a streamlined letter of introduction.
With the passage of time, visiting cards became an
essential accessory to any 19th-century upper or
middle class lady or gentleman. Visiting cards were
not generally used among country folk or the working
classes.
Visiting cards (also known as calling cards) first
appeared in China in the 15th century, and in Europe
in the 17th century. The footmen of aristocrats and of
royalty would deliver these first European visiting
cards to the servants of their prospective hosts
solemnly introducing their arrival.
Visiting cards became an indispensable tool of
etiquette, with sophisticated rules governing their use.
The aristocracies of North America and the rest of
Europe adopted the practice from French and English
etiquette.
Visiting cards included refined engraved ornaments
and fantastic coats of arms. The visiting cards served
as tangible evidence of the meeting of social
obligations. The stack of cards in the card tray in the
hall was a handy catalogue of exactly who had called
and whose calls one should reciprocate. They also
provided a streamlined letter of introduction.
With the passage of time, visiting cards became an
essential accessory to any 19th-century upper or
middle class lady or gentleman. Visiting cards were
not generally used among country folk or the working
classes.
Trade Cards
Trade cards, or business cards, first became popular
at the beginning of the 17th century in London. These
functioned as advertising and also as maps, directing
the public to merchants' stores, as no formal street
address numbering system existed at the time.
Businesses used their cards as marks of distinction
and thus introduced the first modifications in their
design.
Business cards were widespread among men and
women, of all classes with a business to promote. It
was considered to be in very poor taste to use a
business card when making a social call. A business
card, left with the servants, could imply that you had
called to collect a bill.
The earliest forms of trade cards were printed by the
woodcut or letterpress method. By the 18th century,
copperplate engraving became the most popular
method. Up to the 19th century, trade cards were still
done in monotones, or with simple tints. As
businesses grew, so did the production and
distribution of tradecards.
Around 1830, lithography using several colours
became an established method in Europe. Later, as
the growing demand for the cards boosted the
development of colour printing, more sophisticated
card designs appeared, making the cards works of
art.
The trend toward fanciful trade cards was balanced by
the pragmatic need of a growing group of private
entrepreneurs who had a constant need to exchange
contact information. These users often started to print
out their own cheaper business cards.
Trade cards, or business cards, first became popular
at the beginning of the 17th century in London. These
functioned as advertising and also as maps, directing
the public to merchants' stores, as no formal street
address numbering system existed at the time.
Businesses used their cards as marks of distinction
and thus introduced the first modifications in their
design.
Business cards were widespread among men and
women, of all classes with a business to promote. It
was considered to be in very poor taste to use a
business card when making a social call. A business
card, left with the servants, could imply that you had
called to collect a bill.
The earliest forms of trade cards were printed by the
woodcut or letterpress method. By the 18th century,
copperplate engraving became the most popular
method. Up to the 19th century, trade cards were still
done in monotones, or with simple tints. As
businesses grew, so did the production and
distribution of tradecards.
Around 1830, lithography using several colours
became an established method in Europe. Later, as
the growing demand for the cards boosted the
development of colour printing, more sophisticated
card designs appeared, making the cards works of
art.
The trend toward fanciful trade cards was balanced by
the pragmatic need of a growing group of private
entrepreneurs who had a constant need to exchange
contact information. These users often started to print
out their own cheaper business cards.
Visiting card of Johann van Beethoven, Brother of
Ludwig van Beethoven
Ludwig van Beethoven
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