The humble credit card has been part of Canadian culture for over half a century. Plastic payments give us the freedom to buy what we need or go where we want, days before payday.

The Currency Museum does credit to the credit card. À La Carte is a new exhibition that explores the evolution of credit as currency.

From its beginnings as a makeshift piece of signed cardboard, to embossed plastic with magnetic strips and smart chips — the credit card has come a long way.

But as much we love ’em, credit cards aren’t needed here. Entrance to the Museum is always free.