ATM Machine Unveiled in 1966
According to Wikipedia, this wasn't the very first ATM, but it was among the earlier, prototype models. I like how the caption presciently refers to the machines as "future monsters." Google news link: Saskatoon Star Phoenix, October 31, 1966.
I'm young enough that I can't remember the first time I used an ATM machine. Their presence was something I always took for granted. But people 50 or older probably remember when these machines started to appear in the 70s.
Better quality picture:
I'm young enough that I can't remember the first time I used an ATM machine. Their presence was something I always took for granted. But people 50 or older probably remember when these machines started to appear in the 70s.
Better quality picture:
Comments
The machines are handy but not half as much fun to watch in action as the real thing!
Posted by Expat47 in Athens, Greece on 04/23/12 at 10:09 AM
OMG! It's a giant creepy EYE! 🐛
Posted by KDP on 04/23/12 at 11:03 AM
I think this beats out my first ATM, which was called Harvey Wallbanker, or informally, Harvey.
Posted by Phred22 on 04/23/12 at 11:12 AM
No, Phred, you were drinking Harvey Wallbangers and watching Jimmy Stewart in Harvey on TV!
Posted by Expat47 in Athens, Greece on 04/23/12 at 11:40 AM
STOP SAYING ATM MACHINE
AUTOMATIC TELLER MACHINE MACHINE
GAH
AUTOMATIC TELLER MACHINE MACHINE
GAH
Posted by venomlash on 04/23/12 at 12:51 PM
Ain't that what they call them on both sides of the Rio Grande River?
Posted by Expat47 in Athens, Greece on 04/23/12 at 01:00 PM
I can remember when ATMs first hit Cincinnati. Banks put out tv commercials with terrible 1970s jingles.
Posted by Mark on 04/23/12 at 01:37 PM
venomlash -- we're going to have to agree to disagree on this one, because I am, and will continue to be, an unrepentant user of "RAP phrases" (redundant-acronym-phrase phrases). LCD display, PIN number, GOP party, ATM machine. I happily use all these expressions.
I realize it's considered stylistically preferable to avoid needless repetition -- though repetitious phrases certainly aren't grammatically incorrect. English is full of them: 'Tuna fish,' 'foreign imports,' 'each and every one.' In the case of acronyms, I prefer the repetitious phrases. Mostly because I don't like acronym speak. And idiomatically, the longer phrases sound better to me.
I realize it's considered stylistically preferable to avoid needless repetition -- though repetitious phrases certainly aren't grammatically incorrect. English is full of them: 'Tuna fish,' 'foreign imports,' 'each and every one.' In the case of acronyms, I prefer the repetitious phrases. Mostly because I don't like acronym speak. And idiomatically, the longer phrases sound better to me.
Posted by Alex on 04/23/12 at 02:51 PM
I'm with venomlash on that one. terms such as ATM Machine, HIV Virus and CNN Network drive me nuts.
Posted by Robert on 04/23/12 at 05:44 PM
My favorite ATM incident happened when I was in college (SEVERAL years ago) and out enjoying some refreshments with a bunch of friends. We decided to walk over to another establishment and one girl needed more cash so we stopped at a TYME machine on the way; she punched in what she thought was $20.00. Imagine our surprise when $500.00 came spitting out --- $20 at a time! The people in line behind us were trying to see what was going on. We were laughing so hard (money continuously spitting out of an ATM one bill at a time can be quite funny when you're young and drunk) but trying not to attract attention to the fact that she was now walking around with that much cash in her purse.
Posted by ScoutC on 04/23/12 at 05:57 PM
Wow Scout, was it her money or the banks? If it was the banks did she keep it or turn it in? Inquiring minds want to know!
Posted by Patty in Ohio, USA on 04/23/12 at 08:05 PM
I will be 49 this year and I remember ATMs coming to Nashville TN. One bank called them 'Ready Freddies', which sounds very odd now, so my mother called them that for years. Another bank had 'Tammy The Timeless Teller' machines, but we all called them 'Tammy The Tittless Teller' machines. I definitely never saw one when you could talk to a teller, that would defeat the whole purpose wouldn't it? This was around the time 'self-serivce' came to gas stations and my sister i used to argue over who had the priviledge of putting gas in the car, so naive, now all the gas jockeys are long gone!
Posted by MRD on 04/24/12 at 10:59 PM
She wasn't sure whose money it was at the time. She had just deposited her paycheck and didn't think it had cleared yet. She did redeposit the cash, of course, but was very nervous having that much cash on hand for the rest of the weekend. That was a huge chunk of change back in the day! In retrospect and sobriety, she was drawing attention to it by clutching her purse to her chest but at the time it seemed like a good idea. Ahhh, youth... I still smile every time I go past that bank.
Posted by ScoutC on 04/25/12 at 08:23 PM
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Category: Money | Technology