Bank Card
Hannah Fry takes a look at the bank card, the digital key to accessing cash, and finds out how its extraordinary innovations have some surprising and sinister origins.
Hannah Fry takes a look at the bank card. This humble piece of plastic is often taken for granted, but it鈥檚 the digital key to accessing cash and is packed full of extraordinary technological innovations - including some with surprising and sinister origins.
Hannah is granted the first ever TV access to Visa鈥檚 European bank card data centre, discovers why we have Russian spies to thank for contactless payments, and finds out how the CIA and a 1950s housewife helped kick-start the bank card revolution.
Last on
More episodes
Previous
You are at the first episode
Clip
-
![]()
What鈥檚 inside a bank card?
Duration: 02:35
Credits
| Role | Contributor |
|---|---|
| Presenter | Hannah Fry |
| Series Producer | Eileen Inkson |
| Executive Producer | Paul Overton |
Broadcasts
Featured in...
![]()
The Science Behind It All
Learn about amazing scientific discoveries and unravel technological mysteries.
![]()
Know Your Stuff
Stay informed with these essential titles, offering key insights on the issues that matter
![]()
Award winners
Selection of winners and nominees from RTS and BAFTA Scotland Awards.
Learn more about how tech design of the smartphone can be more sustainable, with The Open University
Visit The Open University Website.
Six remarkable things I discovered while making The Secret Genius of Modern Life
Hannah Fry tells six extraordinary stories she learnt whilst making the new series.