The squared-off numbers on almost every
credit card were invented in a bar at the Waldorf-Astoria. David H.
Shepard, who invented the first optical character recognition device
(in his attic), first voice recognition system, also created the
Farrington B numeric font to try to combat the smudging and smearing
that would inevitably occur at gas pumps, one of the first places
optical character recognition would be used.
These days, credit card companies could use any font for the account
number, because the information is gathered from the magnetic strip
on the back. Farrington B is still commonly used as tradition.
Shepard passed away in 2007.