We print thousands of business cards each week. They come in so many different forms, shapes and sizes and there isn't really an idea that we haven't seen. But do you know where they originated from? We didn't and what we found was quite interestingâEUR¦
Business cards are in fact an adoption from the French court etiquette. The first form of business cards were called Visiting Cards or 'Visite Biletes' and were the size of playing cards. In fact, in there rawest form, they started as playing cards and visitors would write their signatures, promissory notes or a little message on them. These later developed into greetings cards and the like which we give today.
The first Visiting Cards appeared in France during King Louis XIV reign and were used as a way to introduce the owner in grand display of wealth and importance. Across different countries, there was a more separation between Visiting Cards and Business Cards though.
If we skip across the channel to England, they were known as Tradecards and were around in the 17th Century. They were a mix of what we would today class as Business Cards and Leaflets; with the company name and address on them, sometimes along with a map as there was no formal numbering system at that time.
Once we reach the 19th Century, Tradecards were still used but in monotone but engraving had become more popular. Sometime in the 1830's lithography using several colours became established in Europe and throughout the 19th Century new technology and improved speed of communication made printing more and it became easier and more affordable to print.
So there you have it. The slightly obscure history of the business card as we have found it. It does throw a different light onto something that we no consider to be a basic business necessity and it show just how far we have come in the printing industry
Gutenberg's printing invention was a full success in Germany and later in Europe. His innovative printing press machine was the proper device, at the proper place, at the proper time. Indeed, Gutenberg's time coincided with the growth of a more educated European middle class and consequently with the increase of reading materials. The Gutenberg press remained the only printing tool used by people for more than 300 years, more precisely until 1811. The Gutenberg printing press represents one of the most important inventions in the history of printing. It allowed the production of books, newspapers, magazines, etc in great numbers and promoted the interest in reading and the value of printed materials.
Business cards are in fact an adoption from the French court etiquette. The first form of business cards were called Visiting Cards or 'Visite Biletes' and were the size of playing cards. In fact, in there rawest form, they started as playing cards and visitors would write their signatures, promissory notes or a little message on them. These later developed into greetings cards and the like which we give today.
The first Visiting Cards appeared in France during King Louis XIV reign and were used as a way to introduce the owner in grand display of wealth and importance. Across different countries, there was a more separation between Visiting Cards and Business Cards though.
If we skip across the channel to England, they were known as Tradecards and were around in the 17th Century. They were a mix of what we would today class as Business Cards and Leaflets; with the company name and address on them, sometimes along with a map as there was no formal numbering system at that time.
Once we reach the 19th Century, Tradecards were still used but in monotone but engraving had become more popular. Sometime in the 1830's lithography using several colours became established in Europe and throughout the 19th Century new technology and improved speed of communication made printing more and it became easier and more affordable to print.
So there you have it. The slightly obscure history of the business card as we have found it. It does throw a different light onto something that we no consider to be a basic business necessity and it show just how far we have come in the printing industry
Gutenberg's printing invention was a full success in Germany and later in Europe. His innovative printing press machine was the proper device, at the proper place, at the proper time. Indeed, Gutenberg's time coincided with the growth of a more educated European middle class and consequently with the increase of reading materials. The Gutenberg press remained the only printing tool used by people for more than 300 years, more precisely until 1811. The Gutenberg printing press represents one of the most important inventions in the history of printing. It allowed the production of books, newspapers, magazines, etc in great numbers and promoted the interest in reading and the value of printed materials.