World’s first ATM celebrates 50th anniversary

Five decades since it signal a transformation in the way people obtained and used cash, the world's first ATM (Automated Teller Machine) turned 50 years on Tuesday June 27 and as a tribute to the golden anniversary, Barclays transformed the ATM at its Enfield branch into gold, added a commemorative plaque and placed a red carpet in front for its users.

The brainchild of Scottish inventor Shepherd-Barron, the first ATM (automated teller machine) was unveiled by Sir Thomas Bland, Deputy Chairman of Barclays Bank on June 27, 1967 at a branch of Barclays bank in Enfield, north London, the first of six Barclaycash dispensers commissioned by the bank.

Sir Thomas Bland, Deputy Chairman of Barclays Bank, unveils the first Barclaycash machine in the London borough of Enfield, UK, 27th June 1967. Behind him is Mr A. G. Norman, Chairman of De La Rue, and on the right is actor Reg Varney (1916 – 2008). (Photo by Fox Photos/Hulton Archive/Getty Images) 

English actor Reg Varney, who starred in the British TV comedy show “On The Buses”, was the first person to withdraw cash from the new machine.

It was designed to transform people’s ability to manage their finances by giving customers access to cash outside bank branch opening hours.

English actor Reg Varney (1916 – 2008) makes the first withdrawal from a Barclaycash machine, at the Enfield branch of Barclays Bank, 27th June 1967. The Enfield Barclaycash is the world’s first automatic cash dispensing machine. (Photo by B. Marshall/Fox Photos/Getty Images) 

Despite the rise in other new technologies such as online and mobile banking, the ATM remains popular 50 years on.

Now there are an estimated three million cash machines across the globe with some 70,000 cash machines in the UK alone which dispensed 175 billion pounds in 2016.

This month also marked 30 years since Barclays introduced the debit card to the UK, on June 3 1987.