IBM 026

IBM

Industry	Computer hardware
Founded	June 16, 1911 (1911-06-16) in Endicott, New York, United States
Headquarters	Armonk, New York , United States
Products	Keypunch machines, punched card equipment, computing hardware

A keypunch refers to a machine designed to create holes in rigid paper cards at predetermined positions, triggered by keys pressed by an operator. Comparable devices include the gang punch, pantograph punch, and stamping tools. This term also encompasses equipment that records information onto punched tape.

For Jacquard looms, punched cards were linked together in a "chain" that encoded instructions governing the loom’s function.

Within Hollerith machines and similar unit record systems, punched cards stored data for processing tasks. In computing systems equipped with punched card input/output devices, these cards contained either data or programs to manage operations.

Initial Hollerith keypunch models operated manually; subsequent versions were electromechanical, resembling compact desks featuring typewriter-style keyboards, hoppers for blank cards, and stackers for completed punched cards. Certain models also printed characters above each column corresponding to the punched holes. The small cut-out pieces—known as chad—were collected in a chad box, or at IBM, referred to as a chip box or bit bucket.

Data entry commonly employed a two pass verification process: re-entering data to ensure correctness. This process created a demand for keypunch operators, predominantly women, who often worked full-time in large-scale keypunch departments responsible for data input duties.

In the 1950s, Remington Rand introduced the UNITYPER, which allowed direct data input onto magnetic tape for UNIVAC machines. By 1965, Mohawk Data Sciences enhanced magnetic tape encoders and marketed them as alternatives to traditional keypunches. The development of microprocessors and cost-effective computer terminals prompted smaller firms such as Inforex and Pertec to produce key-to-tape and key-to-disk solutions.

Throughout the 1970s, keypunches and punched cards remained widely used but were swiftly supplanted by CRT computer terminals. Eliminating the intermediate step of transferring punched cards onto tape or disk lowered expenses and enhanced data validation. The introduction of video display terminals, interactive timeshared systems, and eventually personal computers enabled users to enter data and programs directly, making keypunch operators redundant.

Stamping Jacquard cards, 1801 through 1890

Initially, Jacquard cards were either hand-stamped or manually cut, sometimes utilizing a guide plate for precision. A refinement involved sandwiching the card between two hinged perforated metal plates; punches were inserted following the pattern before pressing the plates together to perforate the card. These manual techniques were eventually replaced by mechanized processes. The so-called 'piano machines,' named after their keyboard-like keys resembling those of unit record keypunches, became the prevalent method.

Hollerith and IBM Keypunch Machines, 1890s to 1930s

During the 1890s, Herman Hollerith developed an initial device that utilized a simple ticket punch creating circular holes measuring 3/16 inch in diameter. These holes were positioned close to the edges of the cards to facilitate handling. Hollerith later advanced this concept by inventing a more accurate Keyboard Punch that employed a pantograph mechanism connecting a punch tool to a guide pointer over a 12 by 20 grid, enabling manual punches to be precisely aligned within one of 20 columns.

In 1901, Hollerith secured a patent for a device where an operator would press one of twelve keys to punch holes, with automatic card feeding incorporated. This early Type 001 keypunch operated on 45-column cards with round holes. By 1923, The Tabulating Machine Company launched the first electric keypunch, the Type 011 Electric Keypunch, featuring keys that closed electrical circuits to activate a solenoid responsible for punching holes. The 80-column punched card format was introduced in 1928. Subsequent models included 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 captured alphabetic data on tabulating cards so that entire words and names, alongside numerical information, could be printed by an alphabetical accounting machine. IBM's Type 31 Alphabetical Duplicating Punch debuted in 1933; it automatically ejected one card and fed another within 0.65 seconds. These machines featured separate alphabetical and numerical keyboards. The alphabetical keyboard resembled a manual typewriter but lacked shift, tab, backspace, and character keys; instead, it included skip, release, stacker, and '1' keys."  – IBM Archives

Post-World War II IBM Keypunches and Verifiers for 80-Column Cards

The majority of IBM keypunches and verifiers shared a standardized electromechanical keyboard design to encode user keystrokes. Pressing a key would trigger interconnected bails that closed electrical contacts encoding the character. A feedback system energized magnets which returned the keystem to its resting position, reset the encoding bails, and provided both tactile and audible feedback. The operational "feel" of these machines varied depending on wear and contact clearances; however, adjustments were generally limited to contact settings alone. Special function keys operated electrically without mechanical encoding linkages.

Models such as IBM’s 024, 026, and 029 keypunches incorporated program card mounts that controlled functions like tabbing and automatic duplication of fields. The later IBM 129 model utilized electronic circuit cards allowing operators to program simple routines.

IBM 024 and 026 Card Punches

Released in 1949, the IBM 024 Card Punch and IBM 026 Printing Card Punch were nearly identical except for the addition of a printing mechanism in the latter. Both machines employed twelve high-powered punches—one assigned per card row—and advanced cards column by column while producing a distinctive "chunk" sound when punching holes. They accommodated cards with 51, 60, 66, or 80 columns.

The IBM 026 printed characters above each punched column; by 1964, ten different versions supported various character sets. Scientific variants replaced less commonly used commercial characters with symbols such as parentheses, equal signs, and plus signs.

The logic circuitry combined components like diodes, 25L6 vacuum tubes, and relays. Vacuum tube circuits operated at approximately 150VDC primarily for the punch-clutch magnet; most other circuits ran on 48VDC.

Characters were printed using a 5×7 dot matrix wire array controlled by a metal "code plate" containing up to 1960 pins (35 pins × 56 characters). Pins corresponding to dots not intended for printing were removed from this plate. When pressed against the wire array, selected wires would strike the ink ribbon and card accordingly. This printing system was delicate and difficult to maintain due to fragile wires housed inside a narrow tube between the code plate and ribbon. Non-standard punch patterns could potentially damage the code-plate positioning mechanism by forcing it beyond its operational limits; disabling printing stopped pin strikes but did not disengage this mechanism.

Renowned industrial designer Raymond Loewy, noted for his streamlined designs and contributions to railway passenger car aesthetics, crafted the award-winning external appearance of the robust steel IBM 024/026 Card Punches featuring rounded corners inspired by industrial Art Deco design principles.

IBM 056 Card Verifier

The IBM 056 served as the verification counterpart to the 024 Card Punch and 026 Printing Card Punch. Visually similar to the 026 keypunch, it was distinguished by a red error indicator lens on its cover. The verifier operator re-entered data originally punched by the keypunch operator, and the device performed a two-pass verification to ensure data consistency. Cards that passed verification were marked with a small notch along the right edge.

Most mechanical and electrical parts of the IBM 056 were identical to those in the 024/026 keypunch models, with exceptions being its punch unit and print head. Instead of punches, the punch unit was equipped with sensing pins that detected holes; if discrepancies were found, a contact bail was triggered to halt card movement and activate a red error light. The notching assembly replaced the print mechanism found on the 026, utilizing solenoids to create either a top-edge notch or an end-of-card punch.

Operators were allowed up to three attempts to rectify errors during verification. Upon three unsuccessful tries, an error notch was punched above the problematic column on the card, and the "OK" punch function was disabled. While errors might originate from either operator, repeated attempts helped minimize recurring mistakes. Some operators tried to anticipate errors made during initial punching, which led to modifications limiting verification to one input attempt and applying an error notch after a second try.

Cards marked with error notches were generally re-punched on an 024 or 026 by duplicating correct columns up to the error location and entering corrected data for faulty columns. Duplication involved passing the card through sensing pins that transferred existing holes onto a blank card; any erroneous columns were then updated accordingly. The revised card underwent re-verification before receiving an "OK" notch.

Typewriter Card Punches

The earliest integration of card punching with typewriting, allowing simultaneous typing and punching of text, was developed by Powers in 1925. IBM later introduced the 824 Typewriter Card Punch, which replaced the 024 keyboard with an IBM electric typewriter, while the IBM 826 combined an IBM electric typewriter with an IBM 026 Keypunch.

IBM 029 Card Punch

Launched alongside System/360 in 1964, the IBM 029 incorporated new character codes for symbols such as parentheses, equal signs, plus signs, and others used within the EBCDIC encoding scheme. Mechanically akin to the IBM 026, it printed punched characters at the top of cards using an enlarged code plate featuring 2,240 printing-pin positions to support EBCDIC’s expanded character set.

The logic circuitry of later IBM 029 models utilized wire contact relays, while initial versions employed reed relays paired with diodes mounted on SMS cards. Due to reliability challenges with reed relays, IBM reverted back to wire-contact relay technology. Powered by 48 volts DC, this model eliminated vacuum tubes present in earlier devices like the 024/026. An optional "Left-Zero" function enabled automatic insertion of leading zero punches for right-justified numeric fields, streamlining data entry processes.

IBM 5924 Key Punch

Introduced as part of IBM’s 1971 IBM Kanji System launch, the IBM 5924 Key Punch was a specialized version of the 029 model T01. It featured a unique keyboard design that allowed operators to access up to 15 shift keys and select from 240 Kanji characters, supporting computer processing of extensive East Asian character sets exceeding 10,000 symbols used in Chinese, Japanese, and Korean languages.

IBM 059 Card Verifier

The IBM 059 Verifier served as a companion device to the IBM 029 Card Punch, marking a notable departure from the earlier 056 verifier. Instead of relying on mechanical pins, it employed optical detection of card holes, which significantly lowered operational noise levels. This was achieved through a single light source channeled via fiber-optic lightpipes, while retaining verification capabilities akin to those of the 056 model.

Although the reduced sound output represented a technological advancement, some operators missed the familiar auditory cues from previous verifiers and occasionally pressed keys more forcefully to compensate, which sometimes led to accelerated wear on keyboard components.

IBM 129 Card Data Recorder

Launched alongside the System/370 in 1971, the IBM 129 was a transistorized keypunch machine that combined punching, verifying, and auxiliary online 80-column card reading and punching functions. It featured a keyboard switch enabling users to alternate between punch and verify modes.

A key innovation was its electronic 80-column buffer that stored the card image digitally. This allowed users to correct typing errors by using the Backspace key before committing the data to punch, contrasting with earlier IBM keypunches that required physically ejecting cards for corrections. The entire card was punched automatically upon pressing the Release key.

Its logic circuits were constructed using SLT modules mounted on a swing-out backplane with wire wrapping.

Another advantage was that typing speed was no longer constrained by the mechanical punching process occurring at each keystroke. The IBM 129 could retain up to six programs in memory, selectable via a rotary dial. Unlike prior models, program cards were loaded into memory through the standard card-feed mechanism rather than being wrapped around a dedicated program drum.

The use of electronic memory eliminated the necessity for a separate read station since duplication relied on the stored image of the preceding card. Additionally, cards could be optically read through an integrated unit.

Program card

IBM keypunches such as the 024, 026, and 029 models, along with verifiers like the 056 and 059, supported basic programming capabilities via Program Cards—also known as drum cards. These cards automated tasks like field advancement, character defaults, and duplication from prior cards, offering improvements over earlier Skip Bars.

Program cards were punched on any keypunch machine and mounted around a rotating drum synchronized with card movement. Holes were detected by starwheels that triggered electrical contacts encoding programs within the top six rows [12,11,0,1,2,3]. An optional "Second Program" feature utilized the lower six rows [4–9], selectable through a switch. The drum could be removed using a locking lever.

Functions provided by program cards included:

Function	#1	Char.	#2	Char.	Description
Field Definition	12	&	4	4	Punch every column except first in designated field
Start Automatic Skip	11	-	5	5	Punch first column of fields to skip automatically
Start Automatic Duplication	0	0	6	6	Punch first column of fields set for duplication
Alphabetic Shift	1	1	7	7	Switch keyboard to Alphabetic mode for specified column
Left Zero Print	2	2	8	8	Force printing of leading zeros or sign characters
Print Suppression	3	3	9	9	Suppress printing output in selected column

Programming languages such as FORTRAN, RPG, and IBM Assembly language designated specific columns for operations (for example: columns 1,10,16,36,72). Program cards encoded these formats to facilitate automated data entry. An example layout might be:

1.......10........20........30........40........50........60........70........80  
1AAAAAAAA1AAAAA1AAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAA1AAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAA &&&&&&&&

In this example, pressing skip after initial characters moves directly to column 10. Numeric Shift fields (Field Definition codes) enabled punching special symbols or sequence numbers.

It is important to note that "Field Definition" (code 12) and "Alphabetic Shift" (code 1) both print as A. Incorrect application of program codes in category 2 could result in invalid characters or damage to printers.

Program cards simplified processes such as gang punching by automatically inserting constant fields across multiple decks. Intriguingly, they could also be programmed to produce musical patterns by rhythmically punching noisy 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. To support these cards, IBM developed the IBM 5496 Data Recorder—a keypunch device equipped with printing and verification capabilities—as well as the IBM 5486 Card Sorter, both tailored specifically for this card format.

Powers and Remington Rand (UNIVAC) Keypunch Devices

Circa 1906, James Powers from the United States Census Bureau created the Powers Keypunch, designed to meet census data processing needs with its 240-key layout. He established the Powers Accounting Machine Company in 1911, which was later acquired by Remington Rand in 1927. Under Remington Rand’s UNIVAC division, keypunch machines were produced for their proprietary 90-column cards as well as compatible models for IBM’s 80-column cards. To avoid infringing on IBM patents, their 90-column keypunches employed a mechanical approach. These UNIVAC keypunches first recorded all characters for a card before executing a single pass to punch holes, allowing error correction and minimizing wasted cards.

Remington Rand’s product lineup included models such as the UNIVAC Card Code Punch Type 306-5 (encompassing alphabetical Types 306-2 and 306-3 for 90 columns), numerical Types 204-2 and 204-3, the Portable Electric Punch Type 202, Spot Punch Type 301, and the Automatic Verifying Machine Type 313.

The Type 306-2 model supported verification by running cards through the keypunch twice; accurate entries produced elongated perforations, while mistakes generated round holes. The Automatic Verifying Machine offered rapid mechanical error detection.

In 1969, the UNIVAC 1710 Verifying Interpreting Punch was launched.

To Keypunch as a Verb

The word keypunched (deriving from the verb to keypunch) initially described the process of inputting data onto punched cards using a keypunch machine. Although physical keypunch devices have become obsolete, the term remains in use within business contexts as a synonym for data entry. This contemporary meaning has supplanted the original method where pressing a key simultaneously printed characters on the card and punched corresponding holes readable by computer systems.

Shift Toward Direct Data Entry

During the 1950s, Remington Rand introduced the UNITYPER, an input device that allowed direct data entry onto magnetic tape for UNIVAC computers. Subsequently, Mohawk Data Sciences developed an enhanced magnetic tape encoder in 1965, marketed as an alternative to traditional keypunch machines. By the mid-1970s, advances in microprocessor technology and affordable computer terminals led to additional key-to-tape and key-to-disk solutions from firms such as Inforex and Pertec.

While punched cards remained widely used for data input and programming through the mid-1980s, eliminating the intermediate step of transferring data from punched cards to tape or disk reduced expenses and improved real-time error detection during entry. The advent of video display terminals, interactive timeshared systems, and later personal computers empowered data originators to input information directly, streamlining operations and decreasing dependence on dedicated data entry clerk personnel.

External links

• Columbia University Computing History: IBM Keypunch Devices
• IBM Archives: The IBM 029 Card Punch
• IBM Archives: Railroad Operations Using the 001 Keypunch
• IBM Punched Card Accounting Machines from 1955