World's 1st ATM by John Barron; India got 1st in 1987 at HSBC, Mumbai

From Chocolate Vending Idea to Banking Revolution: The Story of the ATM

Exactly 58 years ago, on June 27, 1967, the world witnessed a historic innovation that changed the face of modern banking — the installation of the first-ever ATM (Automated Teller Machine). This revolutionary machine was set up in Enfield, a town in London, right outside a branch of Barclays Bank, and was famously called “Barclaycash.”

The launch was marked by a ceremonial first withdrawal by Reg Varney, a popular British actor from the TV sitcom On the Buses. The ATM initially allowed customers to withdraw a maximum of £10, but the idea of accessing cash without having to wait for the bank to open was groundbreaking.

Who Invented the ATM?

The invention of the ATM is credited to John Shepherd-Barron, who was born in 1925 in Shillong, Meghalaya, India. The inspiration behind his idea came from a simple personal inconvenience — he needed cash but couldn’t get it because the bank was closed.

This sparked a thought:

“If vending machines can dispense chocolates, why not create one that gives out cash?”

Shepherd-Barron proposed this concept to Barclays Bank, and they approved. Just two years later, the world saw the first operational ATM — a creation that would go on to redefine banking access worldwide.

India’s First Step into ATM Banking

India embraced this technology in 1987, when the country’s first ATM was installed at the HSBC Bank branch on Sahar Road, Mumbai. This marked the beginning of automated banking in India, freeing customers from long queues and rigid banking hours.

From that single machine, India has seen an explosive expansion, with lakhs of ATMs now installed across urban and rural areas, bringing banking services closer to the people.

How ATMs Have Evolved

ATMs have transformed far beyond simple cash dispensers. Modern ATMs in India now provide a wide range of services, including:

✅ Bill payments

✅ Cheque deposits

✅ Mini statements

✅ Balance inquiries

✅ Cardless cash withdrawals

✅ Contactless transactions

These upgrades have made banking faster, more accessible, and increasingly digital, especially for customers in remote regions who might otherwise have limited access to banks.

A Global Invention, A Local Impact

What began as one man’s idea in Shillong — inspired by a chocolate vending machine — has grown into one of the most widely used financial services globally. ATMs have not only made banking more convenient but have also played a critical role in promoting financial inclusion in countries like India.

As banking continues to evolve with digital payments, mobile banking, and UPI, the ATM remains a symbol of access, independence, and innovation — an idea that gave the world the power to withdraw money anytime, anywhere.