The ATM revolution

Fortune has an article on the history of ATMs in which it argues that ATMs pioneered the human-to-computer transactional interface:

The success of the ATM inspired similar innovations (some more frustrating than others) in a number of nonfinancial industries as well. Full-service gas stations have all but given way to credit card-primed gas pumps. Delta Air Lines has 846 do-it-yourself check-in terminals in 83 U.S. cities. Kroger has self-check-out lanes in more than 1,400 supermarkets. And you can find similar aisles in 850 Home Depot stores. Coming soon to Hiltons near you: 45 hotels that allow you to check in without seeing a clerk. Even McDonald's is testing to see if consumers like ordering Big Macs and fries on a touchscreen. One might even make the case that the ATM made Internet commerce possible: Certainly Amazon.com could not exist without consumers feeling comfortable shopping on a computer. Look at almost any company on the FORTUNE 500—in fact, pick up the phone and call one just to see who answers—and it is clear how important it is to business that customers are willing to automate in one form or another.