Dance cards appear to have originated in the 18th century, but their use first became widespread in 19th-century
Vienna, especially at the large balls during
Fasching before
Lent. Throughout the 19th century, dance cards were used at public and private balls in most modern urban cities worldwide. The dance card acted as a record of choices and might be saved as a souvenir of the event.
Émile Zola characterized dance cards as "tablets of love" in his story "Le Carnet de Danse". In the early 20th century, dance cards were no longer used at private balls in upper class society, but were still seen at public balls and college dances. By the end of World War I, dance cards were no longer used. ==Appearance==