Object Details
- Description
- James Klein gave his sister Katharine this iTunes gift card as a Christmas present. A large consumer of music, Katharine, and many other millennials, turned to digital files for her music collection rather than previous generations that had purchased records, tapes, and CDs.
- Distributing music through computer networks transformed the music industry. Apple Computer became the leader through its iPod media players and iTunes store. Traditional “brick and
- mortar” companies had to adapt to online shopping by creating websites and offering gift cards that could be used online as well as in stores.
- The use of gift cards began in the 1990s and took off quickly. Gift givers liked the cards because it helped them avoid gift mistakes and gift receivers enjoyed the cards because they could use the card to get what they want. Retailers liked gift cards because they lower the gift return rate, bring in additional business, and often don’t get redeemed.
- Data Source
- National Museum of American History
- Credit Line
- Gift of Katharine Klein
- Physical Description
- plastic (overall material)
- green (overall color)
- red (overall color)
- Measurements
- overall: 2 1/8 in x 3 3/8 in x 1/32 in; 5.3975 cm x 8.5725 cm x .07938 cm
- Object Name
- gift card
