A Sears aluminum “credit card” from the 1950s. Before magnetic stripes, computer chips, and contactless payments, shoppers could carry metal charge plates cont

A Sears aluminum “credit card” from the 1950s. Before magnetic stripes, computer chips, and contactless payments, shoppers could carry metal charge plates containing their names, addresses, and account numbers in raised lettering. At checkout, a Sears employee would place the plate into a manual i…