8 surprising facts you didn't know about ATM machines

As the ATM celebrates its 50th birthday, we shed some light on the 'hole in the wall'

Dazzling: Barclays unveils a gold ATM at its Enfield branch on June 27 to celebrate the 50th anniversary of the world's first cash machine

Melisha Kaur

27 June 2017

Today June 27 marks 50 years since cash machines appeared on UK streets and we started taking money from 'holes in the wall'.

Invented by John Shepherd-Barron, the world's very first ATM was built and installed in a Barclays branch in Enfield in 1967. Its first user was late English actor Reg Varney, famous for his role in British sitcom On the Buses.

They are something you might use every day, but how much do you actually know about ATM machines?

In celebration of its legacy and the way we manage our cash day-to-day, here are eight interesting facts you probably didn't know about the iconic money-dispensing machine.

1. Millions of cards can withdraw cash from ATMs

In the UK, there are 176.4 million cards that can be used to withdraw money at cash machines.

2. The UK withdraws billions from cash machines each year

A total of £179.78 billion was withdrawn from Britain’s ATMs last year.

World's first ATM user: late actor Reg Varney at the opening of the first ATM machine in 1967

3. Debit cards are used the most

Debit cards are the most-used card type to make withdrawals from cash machines.

4. Before the arrival of plastic bank cards…

Early dispensers were designed to receive hole-punched vouchers allowing withdrawals of £10 each, which could be purchased by the customer from the bank and inserted in the dispenser when needed.

5. Nearly every cash machine in Britain is connected to ‘Link’

The mid-1980s saw the launch of the UK's cash machine network, Link. Almost every cash machine in the UK, both free-to-use and pay-to-use, is now connected to Link, allowing cardholders nationwide access to cash.

6. When was the one-billionth transaction made?

In 1996, the one-billionth cash machine transaction was processed by Link.

'Hole in the wall': the ATM turns 50 on June 27

7. Also in 1996…

The average UK cash machine withdrawal exceeded £50 for the first time.

8. The ‘hole in the wall’ is a multi-tasker

In 2002, mobile-phone top ups became available at cash machines.

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