Edward Bellamy may not be as celebrated a name as some of the other writers on this list, but his prediction is nevertheless nothing short of remarkable. First published in 1888, Bellamy's novel Looking Backward tells the story of Julian West, an American who falls into a deep sleep and wakes up one hundred and thirteen years later in the year 2000. From here, West details the radical ways in which the world has changed, and Bellamy speculates on ways in which the future might be improved. One of these ways was by issuing credit cards for purchases. Bellamy predicted credit cards with amazing accuracy, including the idea of one receipt being given to the customer and one being kept by the store.
" a credit card issued him with which he procures at the public storehouses, found in every community, whatever he desires whenever he desires it. This arrangement, you will see, totally obviates the necessity for business transactions of any sort between individuals and consumers."
