Credit card history, how it has come along since 1999. This is from How Stuff Works, and talks about the size of the credit card: "A credit card is a thin plastic card, usually 3-1/8 inches by 2-1/8 inches in size, that contains identification information such as a signature or picture, and authorizes the person named on it to charge purchases or services to his account -- charges for which he will be billed periodically." he first universal credit card -- one that could be used at a variety of stores and businesses -- was introduced by Diners Club, Inc.