IBM 011
| Industry | Computer hardware |
|---|---|
| Founded | 1911 |
| Founder | Herman Hollerith |
| Products | Keypunch machines, punched cards, verifiers |
| Website | www |
A keypunch refers to a device designed to create holes in rigid paper cards at specific points determined by the keys pressed by an operator. Comparable apparatuses include the gang punch, pantograph punch, and stamp. The designation also applies to machines that encode information onto punched tape.
In the context of Jacquard looms, punched cards were linked together in a "chain" that contained a program controlling the loom's functions.[1]
For Hollerith machines and similar unit record devices, punched cards stored data intended for processing. Within computers equipped with punched card input/output units, these cards acted as inputs for either data or programs.
The earliest Hollerith keypunches operated manually; subsequent versions were electromechanical and resembled compact desks fitted with typewriter-style keyboards, along with hoppers for feeding blank cards and stackers for collecting punched cards. Certain models featured printing of the character punched atop each column. The removed card pieces dropped into a chad container, known at IBM as a chip box or bit bucket.
Numerous data processing tasks involved verifying punched cards by re-entering data to ensure correctness (two pass verification). There was significant demand for keypunch operators, predominantly women,[2] who typically worked full-time on keypunch and verifier equipment within large keypunch departments responsible for data input.
During the 1950s, Remington Rand launched the UNITYPER, which facilitated direct data entry onto magnetic tape for UNIVAC systems. In 1965, Mohawk Data Sciences enhanced this concept by introducing a magnetic tape encoder marketed as a keypunch substitute. The emergence of microprocessors and cost-effective terminals fostered additional key-to-tape and key-to-disk solutions from firms such as Inforex and Pertec.[3]
Although keypunch devices and punched cards remained prevalent for data and program input throughout the 1970s, they were swiftly replaced by affordable CRT computer terminals. Removing the intermediate card-to-tape or disk transfer stage lowered expenses and enhanced accuracy during entry. The advent of video display terminals, interactive timeshared systems, and eventually personal computers enabled direct input of data or programs by originators themselves, eliminating the need for keypunch operators.
Stamping Jacquard cards, 1801 through 1890
Initially, Jacquard cards were manually stamped or cut, often utilizing guide plates. An advancement involved sandwiching the card between two perforated metal sheets, inserting punches according to the design, then pressing to perforate the card. These hand-operated techniques were later superseded by 'piano machines,' which functioned via keyboards similar to those used in unit record keypunches.
Hollerith and IBM Keypunch Machines, 1890s to 1930s
During the early 1890s, Herman Hollerith developed a device that created round holes in cards using standard ticket punches. He later advanced this concept by inventing a more precise Keyboard Punch, which utilized a pantograph mechanism to guide manual punches within a 12 by 20 grid. In 1901, Hollerith secured a patent for a system where operators pressed one of twelve keys to punch holes automatically as the card advanced—this was the first-generation Type 001 keypunch, which employed 45-column cards with round holes.
The Tabulating Machine Company launched the initial electric keypunch, the Type 011 Electric Keypunch, in 1923. This model used keys that activated solenoids to punch holes. The 80-column punched card format was introduced in 1928. Following this, several Hollerith keypunch models were developed, including the Type 016 Motor-Driven Electric Duplicating Keypunch (1929), Type 31 Alphabetical Duplicating Punch (1933), and Type 32 Alphabetical Printing Punch (1933).
"Alphabetical duplicating keypunches enabled recording of alphabetic data on tabulating cards so that full words and names, alongside numerical information, could be printed by an alphabetical accounting machine. IBM introduced the Type 31 Alphabetical Duplicating Punch in 1933; it could automatically eject one card and feed another in just 0.65 seconds. These devices had separate keyboards for alphabetical and numerical input. The alphabetical keyboard resembled a manual typewriter but excluded shift, tab, backspace, and character keys while adding skip, release, stacker, and '1' keys." – IBM Archives
Post-World War II IBM Keypunches and Verifiers for 80-Column Cards
Most IBM keypunches and verifiers shared a combined electrical and mechanical keyboard design that encoded keystrokes through a bail mechanism closing electrical contacts to register characters. Each keypress energized magnets responsible for mechanically returning the key to its original position and resetting encoding bails, providing both tactile and audible feedback. Variations in the "feel" of keys resulted from wear and contact tolerances, with only limited possibilities for adjustment. Special function keys operated electrically without any mechanical linkage.
Models such as the IBM 024, 026, and 029 keypunches supported program cards that controlled features like tabbing and automatic field duplication. The later IBM 129 model incorporated electronic circuit cards allowing operators to write simple programs.
IBM 024 and 026 Card Punches
Released in 1949, the IBM 024 Card Punch and IBM 026 Printing Card Punch were almost identical except that the latter included printing capabilities. Both machines employed twelve precise punches activated sequentially by column to create holes on cards with formats of 51, 60, 66, or 80 columns. Their operation produced a characteristic sound.
The IBM 026 model printed punched characters above each column on the card. By 1964, there were ten different versions featuring various character sets; scientific variants replaced four commercial symbols with parentheses, equal signs, and plus signs.
The logic circuitry consisted of diodes, 25L6 vacuum tubes, and relays. Tube circuits operated at approximately 150 VDC mainly to power punch-clutch magnets; most other circuits ran on 48 VDC.
Printing utilized a wire array configured in a 5×7 dot matrix controlled by a metal "code plate" containing up to 1960 pins representing printable characters. Pins corresponding to unprinted dots were machined away. When the code plate pressed against the wire array, selected wires engaged to imprint characters onto both ribbon and card. This printing mechanism was delicate and difficult to service due to fragile wires vulnerable to breakage within narrow tubes between the code plate and ribbon. Non-standard punch patterns could damage the code plate’s positioning system by forcing it beyond its limits. Even disabling printing did not prevent potential damage since the mechanism remained engaged.
The industrial design of the IBM 024/026 Card Punches was crafted by Raymond Loewy, renowned for streamlined aesthetics and railway car designs. The machines featured sturdy steel construction with rounded edges reflecting an industrial Art Deco style.
IBM 056 Card Verifier
The IBM 056 served as the verification counterpart to the 024 Card Punch and the 026 Printing Card Punch. Its appearance was similar to the 026 keypunch but distinguished by a red error indicator on the machine’s cover. During operation, the verifier user re-entered data, allowing the device to confirm whether it matched the originally punched information. Cards that passed verification were marked with a small notch along their right edge.
Most mechanical and electrical parts of the IBM 056 mirrored those found in the 024/026 keypunches, except for its punch unit and print head. Instead of punches, its punch unit was equipped with sensing pins that detected inconsistencies, halting card movement and activating a red error signal when discrepancies occurred. The device’s notching mechanism, powered by solenoids, took the place of the 026’s printing mechanism.
Operators were given up to three chances to correct detected errors; if unsuccessful after these attempts, an error notch was added at the top of the card above the problematic column, and the machine disabled the "OK" punch function. While errors could still arise if both operators made mistakes, allowing multiple tries helped minimize repeated inaccuracies. In some cases, operators would guess previous errors, prompting certain machines to limit verification to a single entry before applying error notches.
Cards bearing error notches were generally re-punched using an 024 or 026 by duplicating data up to the error column and then correcting subsequent information. The duplication process involved transferring existing holes onto a blank card through sensing pins before making corrections. Once amended, these cards underwent re-verification and were marked with an "OK" notch upon passing.
Typewriter Card Punches
The earliest device combining a card punch with a typewriter—allowing typed characters to be punched—was created by Powers in 1925. The IBM 824 Typewriter Card Punch replaced the traditional 024 keyboard with an IBM electric typewriter, while the IBM 826 incorporated an IBM 026 Keypunch keyboard in a similar fashion.
IBM 029 Card Punch
Launched alongside System/360 in 1964, the IBM 029 introduced new character codes for symbols such as parentheses, equals, plus signs, and others within the EBCDIC encoding scheme. Mechanically akin to the IBM 026, it printed punched characters on top of cards using an enlarged code plate featuring 2240 printing-pin positions to support EBCDIC’s broader character repertoire.
The logic system of later IBM 029 models employed wire contact relays, whereas earlier versions used reed relays combined with diodes mounted on SMS cards. Due to reliability concerns with reed relays, IBM reverted to wire-contact relay technology. Operating at 48 volts DC, it removed the need for vacuum tubes found in prior models like the 024 and 026. An optional "Left-Zero" function allowed automatic punching of leading zeros in right-justified numeric fields; this feature was programmed through a program card—enhancing efficiency and reducing operator input requirements.
IBM 5924 Key Punch
The IBM 5924 Key Punch represented a T01 variant of the 029 model introduced during IBM’s 1971 announcement of its IBM Kanji System. It featured a specialized keyboard enabling users to press one of fifteen shift keys with their left hand while selecting from 240 Kanji characters with their right hand. This advancement facilitated computer processing for complex Asian scripts—including Chinese, Japanese, and Korean—which encompass extensive character sets exceeding ten thousand symbols.
IBM 059 Card Verifier
The IBM 059 Verifier was designed to work alongside the IBM 029 Card Punch, distinguishing itself from the earlier 056 verifier by utilizing optical detection of card holes rather than mechanical pins. This innovation resulted in a much quieter operation compared to the typically noisy 056, which often generated sound levels surpassing those of the 024 keypunch.
Its optical system relied on a single light source distributed throughout the device via fiber-optic lightpipes. Despite this technological enhancement, the core verification method closely resembled that of the 056 model.
Interestingly, some users missed the audible cues produced by the louder 056 verifier when operating near quieter devices like the 029. This absence sometimes caused them to press keys more forcefully, occasionally leading to accelerated wear on keyboard parts.
IBM 129 Card Data Recorder
Launched alongside the System/370 in 1971, the IBM 129 combined card punching, verification, and on-line 80-column card reading/punching capabilities for select computer systems. A toggle switch on its keyboard allowed users to switch between punch and verify modes.
The transistor-based IBM 129 offered a significant improvement over previous IBM keypunch models through its electronic 80-column buffer, which held the card image in memory. Earlier machines required ejecting cards to fix typing errors; with the 129, mistakes could be erased using the Backspace key and corrected before punching. The actual punching occurred automatically upon pressing the Release key, enhancing overall speed.
Its logic circuits were built using SLT modules mounted on a swing-out wire-wrapped backplane. Unlike earlier devices limited by column-by-column punching speeds, the 129’s operation was no longer constrained in this way.
The machine could store up to six separate programs selectable via a rotary switch. Unlike previous keypunches that loaded programs through a program drum wrapped with cards, program loading here was accomplished through standard card-feed paths.
Thanks to its electronic memory, the IBM 129 eliminated the need for a dedicated read station; duplication was performed using the stored image of the preceding card. Additionally, it featured an integrated optical read unit enabling cards to be "read-in."
Program card
IBM keypunches such as models 024, 026, and 029, along with verifiers like the 056 and 059, could be programmed using a Program Card or drum card. This innovation enabled automated functions including field advancement, default characters, and field duplication—offering improvements over earlier Skip Bars.
The program card was punched on any compatible keypunch and wrapped around a rotating program drum that turned as cards passed through. Holes in the card engaged electrical contacts via starwheels. Programming utilized the top six rows [12,11,0,1,2,3], while an optional "Second Program" mode employed the bottom six rows [4-9], selectable by a switch. The drum could be detached by releasing a locking lever.
Program cards controlled various functions such as defining fields, initiating automatic skipping or duplication of fields, enabling alphabetic shift mode, forcing left zero printing, and suppressing printing in specified columns:
| Function | #1 | Char. | #2 | Char. | Usage |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Field Definition | 12 | & | 4 | 4 | Punch all columns except first within a field |
| Start Automatic Skip | 11 | - | 5 | 5 | Punch first column of fields to skip |
| Start Automatic Duplication | 0 | 0 | 6 | 6 | Punch first column of fields to duplicate |
| Alphabetic Shift | 1 | 1 | 7 | 7 | Switch keyboard to Alphabetic mode |
| Left Zero Print | 2 | 2 | 8 | 8 | Force printing of leading zeros or signs |
| Print Suppression | 3 | 3 | 9 | 9 | Suppress printing in selected columns |
Programming languages such as FORTRAN, RPG, and IBM Assembly language designated specific card columns for operational commands. A program card could define fields that automate tabbing or punching sequences accordingly.
For instance:
1.......10........20........30........40........50........60........70........80 1AAAAAAAA1AAAAA1AAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAA1AAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAA &&&&&&&&
In this example, pressing skip after inputting data moves to column 10; columns 72–80 might be designated as a Numeric Shift field for special symbols or sequence numbering.
Note that "Field Definition" (code 12) and "Alphabetic Shift" (code 1) print as an A character.
Using Program 2 codes carried a risk of producing invalid characters that could potentially harm printers.
Program cards facilitated automation tasks such as "gang punching," which involved inserting constant data across multiple cards. They could even be programmed to generate rhythmic patterns for entertainment by alternating noisy and quiet characters.
IBM 5496 Data Recorder for 96-Column Cards
In 1969, IBM introduced the System/3 line of entry-level business computers, which utilized a novel, more compact 96-column punched card. Alongside this innovation, the IBM 5496 Data Recorder—a keypunch machine equipped with printing and verification capabilities—and the IBM 5486 Card Sorter were specifically engineered to handle these 96-column cards.
Powers and Remington Rand (UNIVAC) Keypunch Machines
Circa 1906, James Powers from the United States Census Bureau developed the Powers Keypunch, featuring 240 keys designed expressly for census data processing. In 1911, Powers established the Powers Accounting Machine Company, which was later acquired by Remington Rand in 1927. Remington Rand’s UNIVAC division manufactured keypunch devices compatible with their own 90-column cards as well as models adapted for IBM’s 80-column format. Their 90-column keypunches employed a mechanical approach to avoid infringing upon IBM’s patents. Unlike some competitors, UNIVAC keypunches first recorded all card data before punching holes in a single operation, allowing error correction without wasting cards.
Remington Rand’s range of keypunch models included the UNIVAC Card Code Punch Type 306-5 (90 Column Alphabetical), Types 204-2 and 204-3 (90 Column Numerical), Portable Electric Punch Type 202, Spot Punch Type 301, and Automatic Verifying Machine Type 313.
The Type 306-2 model enabled verification by re-entering data on the card: accurate entries produced elongated perforations, while mistakes resulted in round holes, which were mechanically detected by the Automatic Verifying Machine.
Introduced in 1969, the UNIVAC 1710 Verifying Interpreting Punch further advanced verification capabilities.
Keypunch as a Verb
The word keypunched (derived from the verb keypunch) originally described the process of encoding data onto punched cards using a key punch device. As these machines became obsolete, the term evolved to broadly signify data entry activities. This linguistic shift mirrors the technological progression from mechanical data input toward contemporary digital methods.
Shift Toward Direct Data Entry
During the 1950s, Remington Rand released the UNITYPER, an input apparatus that allowed direct data entry onto magnetic tape for use with UNIVAC systems. Subsequently, in 1965, Mohawk Data Sciences introduced an enhanced magnetic tape encoder marketed as a replacement for traditional keypunch machines. By the mid-1970s, advancements in microprocessor technology and affordable computer terminals encouraged smaller firms such as Inforex and Pertec to develop systems enabling direct key-to-tape and key-to-disk input.
Although punched cards remained prevalent for data entry and programming tasks through the mid-1980s, eliminating intermediate steps—such as transferring data from punched cards to tape or disk—reduced expenses and facilitated immediate error detection during input. The rise of video display terminals, interactive timeshared systems, and eventually personal computers empowered users to input information directly at the source, streamlining workflows by removing intermediary clerical processes.
See also
- Punched card
- Punched card input/output
- Hollerith code
- Unit record equipment
- Computer programming in the punched card era
- List of IBM products
- Chad (paper)
Further reading
External links
- Columbia University Computing History: IBM Keypunch Machines
- IBM Archives: The IBM 029 Card Punch
- IBM Archives: Railroad Applications of the 001 Keypunch
- IBM Punched Card Accounting Machines from 1955
- ↑ Bell, T.F. (1895) Jacquard Weaving and Designing, Longmans, Green And Co.
- ↑ IBM Archive: Keypunch operators, 1934, Stockholm
- ↑ Lua error in Module:Citation/CS1/Configuration at line 2123: attempt to index field '?' (a nil value).