| Business cards are a common form of advertising and | | | | At around the same time, the card moved from its |
| of the exchange of contact information between | | | | social beginnings to a business purpose with the |
| businessmen and the public. They have a long history | | | | introduction of the trade card. It was a period where |
| that dates as far back as the 15th century in China. | | | | newspapers were an undeveloped resource, and the |
| The business card began as a âvisiting | | | | media that is the center of todayâs advertising |
| cardâ or a calling card. It was a social | | | | did not exist. The trade card was designed to direct |
| convention that was bound by some very strict | | | | the public to a merchantâs location and usually |
| etiquette rules. The visiting card was introduced to | | | | contained a map and directions. This was at a time |
| Europe in the 17th century during the reign of Louis XIV | | | | when the current system of street numbering did not |
| who was known as the Sun King. In the same century | | | | exist. |
| the practice began to take hold in English society. | | | | |