In 1964 Autotank started in Sweden as a business based upon a sensational innovation — the world’s first banknote payment terminal. This enabled service stations to offer 24-hour fuel sales, which in turn led to the design of the present fast lane and fully automated service stations. This innovation marked the beginning of Autotank’s focus on complete systems for service stations. In Finland the production of service station equipment and systems started in Tampere 1974 and in Porvoo 1980. |
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| In the beginning of the 1960’s the definition of a "high-tech" petrol station was a pump with a mechanical type of volume and price computer, which at best was connected to an electro-mechanical computer at the cash-desk and displayed the petrol level with a precision of 1 dl.
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In 1964 the idea to develop a terminal for buying petrol using bills was connected to one or more pumps. The world’s first banknote payment terminal was born. Through the presentation of the terminal Autotank was established. The first banknote terminal was installed on a Shell`s petrol station in Stockholm.
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| The unattended station had, both banknote-operated terminals for fuelling and product vending machines which intrigued technologically interested customers in the 60’s. After this, new and more advanced banknote operated terminals were rapidly developed and Autotank’s market stretched over all the Nordic countries.
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