A History of Firsts
MasterCard has an impressive list of introducing breakthrough developments.
1981 - MasterCard introduced the industry's first gold card program.
1983 - MasterCard was the first to use the laser hologram as an antifraud device.
1987 - A MasterCard® card became the first payment card issued in the People's Republic of China.
1989 - MasterCard introduced the first bankcard with a tamper-resistant signature panel.
1990 - MasterCard unveiled a co-branding strategy that resulted in co-branding leadership that it still retains.
1991 - MasterCard, in partnership with Europay International, launched Maestro®, the world's first truly global online debit program.
