Punch Cards for Data Processing

In the late 1880s, American engineer Herman Hollerith saw a railroad punch card when he was trying to figure out new ways of compiling statistical information for the U.S. Census. His first punch card, like those used on railways, only had holes along the edges. The meaning of each hole was indicated on the card. By the time Hollerith tabulating equipment was used in the 1890 U.S. Census, holes were scattered across the cards, although their meaning was not indicated on it.

Hollerith and his employees at the Tabulating Machine Company in Washington, D.C. soon developed punched cards for use in compiling information for commercial enterprises such as railroads. They and staff of the U.S. Census Bureau prepared improved machines – these devices are shown in the object group on tabulating equipment. By the 1920s, the United States had two major manufacturers of punch card equipment, International Business Machines (the descendent of the Tabulating Machine Company) and Remington Rand (the descendent of Powers Accounting Machine Company established by Russian emigré and former Census Bureau employee James Powers). Each manufacturer developed a distinctive standard punch card. IBM cards had eighty columns of rectangular holes while those of Remington Rand had ninety columns of circular holes. Tabulating machines were widely used in both government and commerce, with cards designed to meet the needs of customers. For example, checks issued by the U.S. government often came on punch cards.

When IBM and Remington Rand began selling electronic computers in the years following World War II, punch cards became the preferred method of entering data and programs onto them. They also were used in later minicomputers and some early desktop calculators. Punch cards surviving in the Smithsonian collections reflect the widespread use of computers - they announced scores on standardized tests, served as a library cards, were part of the proof of mathematical theorems, and kept medical records. Some are printed with the names of users, from university computer centers and computer clubs to the Library of Congress to Bell Laboratories.

Hollerith Punch Card for Use in the Baltimore Census of Mortality

By the late 19th century, the U.S. government no longer could compile all the statistics it needed by hand. The engineer Herman Hollerith designed a tabulating machine to count Americans by machine.
Description
By the late 19th century, the U.S. government no longer could compile all the statistics it needed by hand. The engineer Herman Hollerith designed a tabulating machine to count Americans by machine. Hollerith tried out his machine by compiling mortality statistics for the city of Baltimore on cards like this one. When this trial was successful, a modified form of Hollerith's card was used for the 1890 Census.
This card has 32 rows of three circular punch positions along both of its long edges. It could be punched with holes using a punch like that used by a railroad conductor. It is intended for compiling the vital statistics for the city of Baltimore. It includes fields relating to place of origin (United States or Foreign and, once this choice was made, region or country of origin), cause of death, occupation (and possibly spouse's occupation), race, sex, and marital status. Four rows of holes, numbered from 1 to 12, may refer to the month of death, two columns numbered from 0 to 9 may refer to the day of death, and two columns with the numbers from 1 to 11 and 0. This is the earliest punch card of which Truesdell had a specific record.
References:
G. D. Austrian, Herman Hollerith: Forgotten Pioneer of Information Processing, New York: Columbia University Press, 1982, pp. 39–40.
L. E. Truesdell, The Development of Punch Card Tabulation in the Bureau of the Census, pp. 38–39.
Location
Currently not on view
date made
1887
maker
Hollerith, Herman
ID Number
MA.317982.02
accession number
317982
catalog number
317982.02

Punch Cards in the Style Used in the U.S. Census of Population, 1900, IBM90916

These paper twenty-four column punch cards are divided into fields used in the U.S. Census. Each card is marked: IBM190916. The fields match those used in the 1900 U.S. Census of Population.
Description
These paper twenty-four column punch cards are divided into fields used in the U.S. Census. Each card is marked: IBM190916. The fields match those used in the 1900 U.S. Census of Population. However, IBM did not exist as a company at that time.
The fields are
:• Race
• Gender
• Age
• Marriage status
• Number of pregnancies
• Number of living children
• Native or foreign born
• Birthplace
o Top code: states for natives
o Bottom code: countries for foreign born
• Father’s birthplace
• Mother’s birthplace
• Years in the US
• Citizenship status
• Occupation
• Months unemployed
• Years in school and literacy levels
• English speaking
References:
Truesdell, Leon E. The Development of Punch Card Tabulation in the Bureau of the Census, 1890-1940: With Outlines of Actual Tabulation Programs. Washington, D.C.: U.S. G.P.O., 1965.
Leon E. Truesdall, The Development of Punch Card Tabulation in the Bureau of the Census 1890-1949, Washington: Bureau of the Census, 1965, p. 131.
Location
Currently not on view
date made
1900-style
maker
IBM
ID Number
1988.3098.03
catalog number
1988.3098.03
nonaccession number
1988.3098

Punch Cards Made for the U.S. Census of Population, 1930

These paper punch cards have the fields used in the U.S. Census of population in 1930. Each is marked: POPULATION, 1930.
Description
These paper punch cards have the fields used in the U.S. Census of population in 1930. Each is marked: POPULATION, 1930. Each is also marked: TM2021.
The cards were similar in past ones in that they record the age, gender, race, marriage status, and education status of an individual. The 1930 punch card changed from the 1920 punch card in three ways. The first was the use of a more standardized 12-key punch, which required changing some of the code symbols to make the card puncher’s job a bit easier. The second was a different look and column spacing of the card. The third was changes in the content. Some areas, like household head, were moved to the family card. The columns were numbered and labeled on the bottom of the card.
Columns indicated (by number):
5. Whether the person lived on a farm
6. Sex
7. Color (or race)
8-9. Age (in units of 10)
10. Marital State
11. Education: NY – not attending school, able to read and write
NN – not attending school, not able to read or write
Yes – attending school
12. State of birth
13. Mother tongue
14-15. Country of birth
16. Nativity: of individual and parents
17. Year immigrated to the U.S.
18. Citizenship: Na – native
Pa – papers
Al – alien
19. Speak English?
20-23. Occupation
24. Class
Reference:
Truesdell, Leon E. The Development of Punch Card Tabulation in the Bureau of the Census,1890-1940: With Outlines of Actual Tabulation Programs. Washington, D.C.: G.P.O., 1965.
Location
Currently not on view
date made
1930
maker
U. S. Census Bureau
ID Number
1988.3098.01
catalog number
1988.3098.01
nonaccession number
1988.3098

Punch Card, Preliminary Card Unemployment 1930

This brown paper twenty-four column card is divided into seventeen fields for such categories as city, schedule, line, reason, sex, age, and occupation.
Description
This brown paper twenty-four column card is divided into seventeen fields for such categories as city, schedule, line, reason, sex, age, and occupation. It is a preliminary version of a punch card developed by the Bureau of the Census for a 1930 Census of Unemployment.
Reference:
Leon E. Truesdall, The Development of Punch Card Tabulation in the Bureau of the Census 1890-1949, Washington: Bureau of the Census, 1965, pp. 180-186.
Location
Currently not on view
date made
1930
maker
IBM
ID Number
1988.3098.02
catalog number
1988.3098.02
nonaccession number
1988.3098

IBM 811970 Production and Inventory Control Punch Card

This eighty-column paper punch card is tan with a green stripe across the bottom. There is space for punches and for entering text.
Description
This eighty-column paper punch card is tan with a green stripe across the bottom. There is space for punches and for entering text. Fields include invoice number, qantity ordered or shipped, quantity manufacturing, customer name, schedule date, state, office number, customer code number, invoice number, and date schedule.
Six round holes are punched in the card, although these do not fit the design of numbers in the columns.
The card was received with tabulating machine 1990.0693.01.
Location
Currently not on view
date made
ca 1930
1930 roughly
ca 1930
maker
IBM
ID Number
1990.0693.01.03
catalog number
1990.0693.01.03
accession number
1990.0693

Punch Card, IBM 148331

IBM sometimes used punch cards to advertise punch card systems. This is one such punch card, used to advertise tabulating machines. Text on the card reads in part: What the Punched Hole will do. (/) The IBM card demonstrates the first step (/) in IBM accounting.
Description
IBM sometimes used punch cards to advertise punch card systems. This is one such punch card, used to advertise tabulating machines. Text on the card reads in part: What the Punched Hole will do. (/) The IBM card demonstrates the first step (/) in IBM accounting. The three leftmost columns indicate how the digits 005 would be entered using slanting, oval-shaped holes. Three columns next to this indicate how the digits 005 would be entered in an 80-column card with rectangular holes such as IBM had introduced in the 1920s. The center of the card described what the card would do. The right side indicates data from a payroll calculation printed on an 80-column card.
Test along the left edge of the card reads: IBM 792040-MS 0. It also reads: IBM 148331. Text along the right edge reads: REPRESENTATIVE COMPANY.
The back of the card shows an IBM "punch register", a sorter, and an accounting machine, which "PREPARES THE REQUIRED REPORTS FROM THE PUNCHED AND SORTED CARDS."
For another example of the card, see 1988.0803.02.
Location
Currently not on view
Date made
1930s
maker
IBM
IBM
ID Number
1988.0803.01
catalog number
1988.0803.01
accession number
1988.0803

Punch Cards Used as an Advertisement, IBM 148331

IBM sometimes used punch cards to advertise punch card systems. This is one such punch card, used to advertise tabulating machines. Text on the card reads in part: What the Punched Hole will do. (/) The IBM card demonstrates the first step (/) in IBM accounting.
Description
IBM sometimes used punch cards to advertise punch card systems. This is one such punch card, used to advertise tabulating machines. Text on the card reads in part: What the Punched Hole will do. (/) The IBM card demonstrates the first step (/) in IBM accounting. The three leftmost columns indicate how the digits 005 would be entered using slanting, oval-shaped holes. Three columns next to this indicate how the digits 005 would be entered in an 80-column card with rectangular holes such as IBM had introduced in the 1920s. The center of the card described what the card would do. The right side indicates data from a payroll calculation printed on an 80-column card.
Test along the left edge of the card reads: IBM 792040-MS 0. It also reads: IBM 148331. Text along the right edge reads: REPRESENTATIVE COMPANY.
The back of the card shows an IBM "punch register", a sorter, and an accounting machine, which "PREPARES THE REQUIRED REPORTS FROM THE PUNCHED AND SORTED CARDS."
For another example of the card, see 1988.0803.01.
Location
Currently not on view
Date made
1930s
maker
IBM
IBM
ID Number
1988.0803.02
catalog number
1988.0803.02
accession number
1988.0803

US Census Bureau Punch Cards for 1934 Census of Prisoners

These tan 24-column punch cards have fields for Inst., State, Sheet no., Line no., Ad., Offense, Def. or Min., Maximum, Prev. Com., Sex, Mar. cond., Age, and Race and C of B.
Description
These tan 24-column punch cards have fields for Inst., State, Sheet no., Line no., Ad., Offense, Def. or Min., Maximum, Prev. Com., Sex, Mar. cond., Age, and Race and C of B. These fields are quite possibly institution, state, sheet number, line number, offense, minimum sentence, maximum sentence, previous commitments, sex, marital condition, age, and race and country of birth. Each card is marked: PA. Each card also is marked on the right edge: PRISONERS: 1934 (/) CENSUS BUREAU.
Between 1926 and 1946, the United States Bureau of the Census collected and compiled yearly statistics on prisoners at state and federal prisons in the United States. This data analysis would be continued by the Federal Bureau of Prisons. These cards were part of that effort.
Reference:
Margaret Cahalan and Lee Parsons, Historical Corrections Statistice in the U.S. 1850-1984, Rockville, Md.: Westat, Inc., 1986, pp. 4-6.
Location
Currently not on view
date made
1934
maker
U. S. Census Bureau
ID Number
1995.3080.02
nonaccession number
1995.3080
catalog number
1995.3080.02

Punch Cards Used as Factor Stencils

Sorting punch cards had mathematical uses. In the late 1920s, number theorist Derek N. Lehmer of the University of California at Berkeley developed a set of punched stencils to assist in factoring large numbers (see 1988.0316.01). In 1939, John D.
Description
Sorting punch cards had mathematical uses. In the late 1920s, number theorist Derek N. Lehmer of the University of California at Berkeley developed a set of punched stencils to assist in factoring large numbers (see 1988.0316.01). In 1939, John D. Elder, then an instructor at the University of Michigan, published a version of Lehmer’s factor stencils on punched cards.
The cards are divided into groups of seven, with each card in a group stamped with the same number (a quadratic residue R). Cards within a group are arranged according to the color of the top edge; the order of the colors is rose, brown, violet, yellow, blue, green and tan (uncolored). The numbers on the groups of cards range from -249 up to -1 and from 2 to 249. The rose card is not stamped for the groups "R=82" and "R=26". There are only 3 cards stamped "R=3" and only 6 stamped "R=2". There is not a group of cards for every number, although there are cards for numbers of the same absolute set of cards for R = 1. The cards are stored in an oak box which was made at the museum. In addition to the punched cards, there is a smaller card indicating the cells included on cards of differing color.
Reference:
D. N. Lehmer, Factor Stencils, rev. John D. Elder, Washington, D.C.: Carnegie Institution of Washington, 1939. A copy of this is 1988.0316.04.
Location
Currently not on view
date made
1939
maker
IBM
Elder, John D.
ID Number
1988.0316.02
accession number
1988.0316
catalog number
1988.0316.02

R.M. Robinson Punch Card Stencils

This red, cloth-covered paper box holds a set of 272 punched cards as well as two punch cards which have not been punched. On the top row of each card is printed, the exclusion modulus, the quadratic character of m (R for residual or N for nonresidual) and the value of a/m.
Description
This red, cloth-covered paper box holds a set of 272 punched cards as well as two punch cards which have not been punched. On the top row of each card is printed, the exclusion modulus, the quadratic character of m (R for residual or N for nonresidual) and the value of a/m. A small gray pamphlet fits in the box with the stencils. The cards were published by the University of California Press.
Raphael Robinson used these punched cards for his research in number theory before World War II. His interest in using devices to solve problems in number theory continued after the war. In 1952, he programmed the SWAC omputer at UCLA's Institute for numberical Analysis to calculate Mersenne primes, finding the first Mersenne primes discovered useing a computer. Several of his later papers also made use of computers.
Reference:
"Recent Mathematical Tables," Mathematical Tables and Other Aids to Computation, vol. 2 #15, July, 1946, p. 124-125. This is a review by D. H. Lehmer. It is numbered 305 [F, Z].
Location
Currently not on view
date made
1940
ID Number
1991.0287.01
catalog number
1991.0287.01
accession number
1991.0287

IBM 749809 Punch Card, Employee's Statement of Earnings and Deductions, U.S. Naval Gun Factory

This punch card gives a statement of earnings and deductions for an employee of the U.S. Naval Gun Factory in Washington, D.C. in March of 1947. The card itself is not punched, although it lists a tag number, gross earnings, deductions, net pay, and the pay date.
Description
This punch card gives a statement of earnings and deductions for an employee of the U.S. Naval Gun Factory in Washington, D.C. in March of 1947. The card itself is not punched, although it lists a tag number, gross earnings, deductions, net pay, and the pay date. A mark on the card reads: EMPLOYEE' S STATEMENT OF EARNINGS AND DEDUCTIONS (/) U.S. NAVAL GUN FACTORY (/) WASHINGTON, D.C.
The object was collected from the files of departing curator David K. Allison. It's origin is unknown.
Location
Currently not on view
date made
1947
1947
ca 1947
maker
IBM
ID Number
2015.3169.07
nonaccession number
2015.3169
catalog number
2015.3169.07

IBM 1441139x Punch Card Advertising the IBM 602A Calculating Punch

This white paper punch card demonstrates how an average hourly rate of pay can be calculated for a worker paid partly on piece work and partly on day work, receiving a bonus.
Description
This white paper punch card demonstrates how an average hourly rate of pay can be calculated for a worker paid partly on piece work and partly on day work, receiving a bonus. It was intended as advertising for the IBM 602A calculating punch.
The left half of the card has text describing the product. It reads in part: ARITHMETIC (/) CALCULATIONS ARE PERFORMED IN (/) ONE OPERATION BY THE NEW (/)TYPE 602A CALCULATING PUNCH. The right side has columns of holes to be punched that are numbered from 37 to 80.
Location
Currently not on view
date made
ca 1948
maker
IBM
ID Number
1995.3080.01
nonaccession number
1995.3080
catalog number
1995.3080.01

Graduate Record Examination Punch Cards

The Carnegie Foundation, and later the Educational Testing Service, used several forms of punched card in compiling and reporting information on the tests it administered. Three types are included here. All relate to Graduate Record Examination Individual Report Cards.
Description
The Carnegie Foundation, and later the Educational Testing Service, used several forms of punched card in compiling and reporting information on the tests it administered. Three types are included here. All relate to Graduate Record Examination Individual Report Cards. One has the number IBM 138707 (four examples), one IBM 140086 (eleven examples), and another IBM 140088 (three examples). One card is punched.
The cards were produced under U.S. Patent 1,772.492, taken out by Clair D. Lake in 1930 and assigned to IBM. The Graduate Record Examination was first administered in 1937 and kept the New York City address shown on the cards through at least 1951.
Location
Currently not on view
date made
ca 1950
maker
IBM
ID Number
1995.3080.03
nonaccession number
1995.3080
catalog number
1995.3080.03

Punch Card Probe

This cylindrical metal stainless steel rod is about 8" long and resembles a crochet hook. The metal is serrated along the middle part of the rod. One end is hooked, the other is flattened and U-shaped.
Description
This cylindrical metal stainless steel rod is about 8" long and resembles a crochet hook. The metal is serrated along the middle part of the rod. One end is hooked, the other is flattened and U-shaped. The donor worked with tabulating machines and then computer equipment from the 1940s into at least the 1960s.
Reportedly the hook was used to line up punched cards and the flattened end to complete holes that had not punched properly.
Location
Currently not on view
date made
ca 1950
1950, roughly
ID Number
2006.3088.01
nonaccession number
2006.3088
catalog number
2006.3088.01

Poliomyelitis Vaccine Evaluation Registration Card, No 1

Currently not on view
Location
Currently not on view
date made
1954
associated organization
National Foundation for Infantile Paralysis
associated person
Salk, Jonas E.
Kerr, Randall V.
maker
IBM
ID Number
MG.221419.11
accession number
221419
catalog number
221419.11

IBM 827213 Punch Cards for the Electronic Computer Project at Princeton University

Two IBM 80-column punch cards, tan. One card has nothing written on the front but the back has a drawing of a circuit, the date FEB 13 1958, and the words Bias Supplies; Wm Pulser; Arithmetic.
Description
Two IBM 80-column punch cards, tan. One card has nothing written on the front but the back has a drawing of a circuit, the date FEB 13 1958, and the words Bias Supplies; Wm Pulser; Arithmetic. The second card has a 5 column, 2 row table drawn in pencil on the front and circuit drawings in pencil on the back.
These two cards were made by IBM for the Electronic Computer Project at Princeton, NJ. This project made the IAS computer, considered by some to be the first American computer (it had stored programs, which the ENIAC did not). These cards may represent the first punch cards used with an American electronic computer.
Location
Currently not on view
date made
ca 1955
ca 1955
maker
IBM
ID Number
CI.320250.05
accession number
1958.220575
catalog number
320250.05

BP-16309 BSC Punch Cards for AFL-CIO Publications

Punched cards were used not only in government, business, and universities, but by labor unions. These white, eighty-column punch cards are printed in gray. They have spaces for the name, address, local number and ledger id number of member of the AFL-CIO.
Description
Punched cards were used not only in government, business, and universities, but by labor unions. These white, eighty-column punch cards are printed in gray. They have spaces for the name, address, local number and ledger id number of member of the AFL-CIO. A mark along the left edge reads: AFL-CIO PUBLICATIONS. A mark on the right edge reads: BP-16309 BSC. The cards were received in a tabulating machine (reproducer) with catalog number 336301.
Location
Currently not on view
date made
ca 1955
ID Number
MA.305981.08
accession number
305981
catalog number
305981.08

UNIVAC Punch Cards for the AFL-CIO

Punched cards were used not only in government, business, and universities, but by labor unions. These ninety-column paper punch cards are pink, green and white, and white with a green stripe. The first pink card is marked: FIELD ENGINEERING SERVICE REPORT.
Description
Punched cards were used not only in government, business, and universities, but by labor unions. These ninety-column paper punch cards are pink, green and white, and white with a green stripe. The first pink card is marked: FIELD ENGINEERING SERVICE REPORT. The green and white cards are marked: CUSTOMER ENGINEERING SERVICE REPORT. The white card with one green stripe is marked: AFL-CIO PAYROLL DEDUCTIONS, indicating the user. The last pink card is marked: UNIVAC P-11782
The cards were received in a Remington Rand interpreter with catalog number 336300 (305981.03).
Location
Currently not on view
date made
ca 1955
ID Number
MA.305981.09
accession number
305981
catalog number
305981.09

IBM 417110 Punch Card with Bell Telephone Laboratories Logo

This yellow paper eighty-column punch catd has rounded corners, with the uppler left corner truncated. The Bell Telephone Laboratories logo is at the center. A mark on the card reads: GENERAL APPLICATIONS CARD (/) BELL TELEPHONE LABORATORIES, INCORPORATED.
Description
This yellow paper eighty-column punch catd has rounded corners, with the uppler left corner truncated. The Bell Telephone Laboratories logo is at the center. A mark on the card reads: GENERAL APPLICATIONS CARD (/) BELL TELEPHONE LABORATORIES, INCORPORATED. Another mark reads: MILITARY MANUFACTURING INFORMATION DEPT. Another mark reads: IBM 417110. A final mark reads: E7583-E(7-57).
Location
Currently not on view
date made
ca 1957
maker
IBM
ID Number
1996.0142.03
catalog number
1996.0142.03
accession number
1996.0142

Card Showing Images of Remington Rand Univac Punched Cards

This wallet-sized card shows punched cards on both sides. One is a ninety-column card with round holes, the other an eighty-column card with rectangular holes. The image of the ninety-column card has text along the left side that reads: Printed in U. S. A. REMINGTON RAND.
Description
This wallet-sized card shows punched cards on both sides. One is a ninety-column card with round holes, the other an eighty-column card with rectangular holes. The image of the ninety-column card has text along the left side that reads: Printed in U. S. A. REMINGTON RAND. The image of the eighty-column card has text along the left side that reads: Printed in U. S. A. REMINGTON RAND U-2173.
Remington Rand tabulating machines had used ninety-column punched cards. By 1959, Remington Rand computers could use either ninety-column punched cards, punched with round holes, or eighty-column cards, punched with rectangular holes. The latter form of card had been introduced by IBM. This small card shows the choices.
Reference:
Gille Associates, Inc., The Punched Card Data Processing Annual, 1, 1959, pp. 43-47.
Location
Currently not on view
date made
ca 1955
ca 1959
author
Remington Rand Univac. Division of Sperry Rand
ID Number
1997.3012.04.06
nonaccession number
1997.3012
catalog number
1997.3012.04.06

Set of Documents Relating to a 1958 High School Course in Computers, with Punch Cards

These materials come from an advanced placement senior-level mathematics course taught at Concord High School in Concord, Massachusetts, in the spring of 1958. The teacher, Norton A. Levy, used notes provided by Rollin P.
Description
These materials come from an advanced placement senior-level mathematics course taught at Concord High School in Concord, Massachusetts, in the spring of 1958. The teacher, Norton A. Levy, used notes provided by Rollin P. Mayer and Alexander Vanderburgh, Jr., who had associations with Lincoln Laboratories of MIT. The materials were collected and donated by one of the students who took the course, Edward N. (Nicky) Chase. Approximately 102 pages and eight punch cards are included.
Most of the pages are loose paper although some were stapled together. Most are of letter size while some are smaller. Included are a syllabus, notes taken by the user covering a history of computers and computer programming, classroom worksheets and notes, assignments, and tests. One computer discussed is the IBM 704.
All the punch cards are in the eighty-column IBM style. One is punched with standard holes for digits, letters of the alphabet, and a few symbols. A mark on the right edge reads: IBM 5081. A second, unpunched card is pink along the top edge. It is marked on the right edge: UAC BINARY CARD #4. It is marked along the bottom: IBM898443. Five punched cards are in an envelope. Four of these are yellow along the top edge and marked along the right edge: UA SAP CARD #1. They are marked along the bottom edge: IBM884391. The fifth of these cards is green along the top edge and marked along the right edge: IBM893099 704 BINARY CARD. The last card, also an IBM 5081, has a series of numbers and letters written in pencil across the top twenty-five columns. The spaces that would need to be punched to indicate these symbols are outlined in green.
The course included a visit to Lincoln Laboratories with a demonstration of a rocket trajectory plotted by computer. The donor went on to take courses in computers as an undergraduate and moved on to a career in computer graphics. He reports “That’s when I realized that the 1958 demo really was a big deal.”
Location
Currently not on view
date made
1958
ID Number
2015.3072.01
catalog number
2015.3072.01
nonaccession number
2015.3072

Remington Rand P-11782 Punch Card

This 90-column punch card has columns in two rows.
Description
This 90-column punch card has columns in two rows. Round punches indicate the letters from A through Z and the digits from 0 to 9 in the top row, and the digits 0 to 9 and letters A to Z in the bottom row.
Reference:
Sperry Rand Corporation, Glossary Systems Design and Programming Terminology, 1960, p. 5. This is 2015.3097.03. The card was received in this glossary.
date made
ca 1960
maker
Remington Rand Univac
ID Number
2015.3097.02
nonaccession number
2015.3097
catalog number
2015.3097.02

McBee Keysort B86791X Punch Card

This paper, unused punch card is tan with a brown stripe across the top and bottom on both sides. All edges have punched holes, thirty-six across the top and bottom, thirty along each side.
Description
This paper, unused punch card is tan with a brown stripe across the top and bottom on both sides. All edges have punched holes, thirty-six across the top and bottom, thirty along each side. A mark in the bottom left corner reads: B96791X / Registered / McBEE KEYSORT [written inside an outline of a key] / U S PAT OFF.
This edge punched card was designed to organize the research data for a Smithsonian study of the birds of Isla Grande.
Reference:
Accession file.
Location
Currently not on view
date made
ca 1960
maker
McBee Company
ID Number
2017.0179.01
accession number
2017.0179
catalog number
2017.0179.01

EAC 436458 Punch Card

This cream-colored punch card with dark blue printing is the statement of earnings and deductions for E. N. Sivowitch, issued by the General Services Administration.
Description
This cream-colored punch card with dark blue printing is the statement of earnings and deductions for E. N. Sivowitch, issued by the General Services Administration. Elliot Norman Sivowitch was a specialist in television and radio history at the Smithsonian Institution’s National Museum of American History for 40 years. The card, which dates from the early 1960s, was found among his files after his retirement in 2000. It is in excellent condition – never folded, spindled, or mutilated! His bi-weekly net pay after taxes and deductions was $122.75 (about $1,075 in 2018 dollars).
The initials "EAC" in the name of the card stand for Electronic Accounting Card Company, a firm in High Point, North carolina established in 1957 and operated into 1968, when it was purchased by Control Data Corporation. Edgar Snider, the founder of EAC, would go on to establish the High Point Electronic Card Company, the National Electronic card Company, and National Electronic Computer Supplies, all makers of punch cards.
Reference:
Personal Communication, Victoria Shipman, April 13, 2022.
Location
Currently not on view
form date
1960
date used
ca 1960
user
Sivowitch, Elliot
creator
General Services Administration
ID Number
2018.3105.01
nonaccession number
2018.3105
catalog number
2018.3105.01

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