IBM 824
| Industry | Data processing equipment |
|---|---|
| Founded | 1890s |
| Headquarters | United States |
| Products | Keypunch and verifier machines (e.g., IBM 024, 026, 029, 056) |
A keypunch is a machine designed to create holes in rigid paper cards at specific points determined by the keys pressed by an operator. Comparable equipment includes the gang punch, pantograph punch, and stamp devices. The term also extended to machines that encoded information onto punched tape.
In the context of Jacquard looms, punched cards were linked into a "chain" that controlled the loom's operations.[1]
For Hollerith machines and similar unit record apparatus, punched cards held data intended for processing. In computing systems utilizing punched card input/output, these cards represented either programs or data.
Initial Hollerith keypunches operated manually; subsequent models were electromechanical devices resembling desks equipped with typewriter-style keyboards, feeders for blank cards, and stacks for punched outputs. Some models printed characters above the columns corresponding to the holes punched. The discarded punched pieces collected in a chad receptacle or, in IBM terminology, a chip box or bit bucket.
Data processing frequently employed a two-stage verification process: data was reentered to ensure correctness. This created considerable demand for keypunch operators, predominantly women,[2] who worked in extensive keypunch departments responsible for data input tasks.
During the 1950s, Remington Rand launched the UNITYPER, which allowed direct entry of data onto magnetic tape for use with UNIVAC computers. This concept was further advanced by Mohawk Data Sciences in 1965 with a magnetic tape encoder marketed as a substitute for traditional keypunches. The emergence of microprocessors and cost-effective computer terminals encouraged smaller firms like Inforex and Pertec to introduce key-to-tape and key-to-disk solutions.[3]
Although keypunches and punched cards were widely used throughout the 1970s, they were swiftly supplanted by CRT computer terminals. Removing the punched card phase lowered expenses and enhanced error detection. The introduction of video display terminals, interactive timeshared systems, and eventually personal computers allowed users to enter data or programs directly, eliminating the need for keypunch operators.
Stamping Jacquard cards, 1801 through 1890
Initially, Jacquard cards were either stamped or manually cut, occasionally utilizing a template for guidance. A refinement involved sandwiching the card between two hinged perforated metal plates; punches were inserted following the pattern before pressing to create holes. These manual techniques were eventually replaced by mechanized solutions. 'Piano machines,' named due to their keyboard-operated keys resembling piano keys, became prevalent and operated in a manner similar to unit record keypunches.
Hollerith and IBM Keypunch Machines, 1890s to 1930s
During the 1890s, Herman Hollerith's initial card punch utilized a standard ticket punch to create circular holes near the edges of cards for improved handling. He soon advanced to a more accurate Keyboard Punch that incorporated a pantograph mechanism connecting a punching device to a guiding pointer over a 12 by 20 grid, allowing manual alignment of punches.
In 1901, Hollerith secured a patent for a device where pressing any of the 12 keys would punch a hole and automatically move the card to the next column. This pioneering Type 001 keypunch operated on 45-column cards with round holes. By 1923, The Tabulating Machine Company unveiled the first electrically powered keypunch, the Type 011 Electric Keypunch, in which each key activated a solenoid to punch holes. The 80-column punched card standard was introduced in 1928.
Subsequent Hollerith models included the Type 016 Motor-Driven Electric Duplicating Keypunch (1929), followed by the Type 31 Alphabetical Duplicating Punch (1933) and Type 32 Alphabetical Printing Punch (1933).
"Alphabetical duplicating keypunches captured alphabetic data on tabulating cards so that complete words and names, alongside numeric information, could be printed using an alphabetical accounting machine. IBM's Type 31 Alphabetical Duplicating Punch, launched in 1933, automatically ejected one card while feeding the next within 0.65 seconds. These devices featured separate keyboards for letters and numbers; the alphabetical keyboard resembled a manual typewriter but lacked shift, tab, backspace, and character keys, instead incorporating skip, release, stacker, and '1' keys." – IBM Archives
IBM Keypunches and Verifiers for 80-Column Cards After World War II
Most IBM keypunch and verifier models employed a shared electromechanical keyboard system to encode keystrokes. Pressing a key triggered bails that closed electrical contacts to encode characters. A feedback loop energized magnets that mechanically reset the keystem, returned encoding bails to their original position, and provided tactile response. Each unit developed its own unique "feel," influenced by wear and contact adjustments; however, keyboard feel could not be modified beyond these contact settings. Special function keys contained only electrical contacts without mechanical encoding mechanisms.
Models such as IBM's 024, 026, and 029 supported program cards that controlled operations like tabbing and field duplication. The later IBM 129 model incorporated electronic circuit cards enabling simple operator-programmed instructions.
IBM 024 and 026 Card Punch Models
Released in 1949, both 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. Each contained twelve high-precision punches—one corresponding to each card row—powered by strong actuators. Cards advanced one column at a time as holes were punched, producing a characteristic sound during operation. These machines handled cards with 51-, 60-, 66-, and 80-column formats.
The IBM 026 printed characters above each punched column; by 1964, there were ten different versions featuring various character sets. Scientific variants replaced four commercial characters with parentheses, equal signs, and plus signs.
Their logic circuits combined diodes, 25L6 vacuum tubes, and relays components. Tube-based circuits operated primarily at 150VDC for punch-clutch magnets; most other circuitry functioned at 48VDC.
Character printing was accomplished through a 5×7 dot matrix wire array controlled by a metal "code plate" containing up to 1960 pins (35 pins × 56 characters). Pins were selectively removed where dots were unnecessary. This plate pressed chosen wires against the ribbon and card surface. The printing mechanism was intricate to service due to delicate wires housed within narrow tubes connecting the code plate to the ribbon. Non-standard punch patterns on “binary” cards risked damaging the code-plate positioning assembly by forcing it beyond its designed limits—even if printing was disabled—because the mechanism remained engaged with the punching unit.
The external design of IBM’s 024/026 Card Punches was crafted by industrial designer Raymond Loewy, renowned for his streamlined aesthetics and work on railway cars. Their robust steel construction with rounded edges reflected an industrial Art Deco style that earned critical acclaim.
IBM 056 Card Verifier
Serving as the verification counterpart to the IBM 024 Card Punch and IBM 026 Printing Card Punch, the IBM 056 closely resembled the 026 keypunch but was distinguished by a red error indicator embedded in its cover. The verifier operator was tasked with retyping the same data entered by the keypunch operator, enabling the machine to perform a consistency check. Cards that passed this validation process were marked with a small notch along the right edge.
Most of the IBM 056’s mechanical and electrical parts were identical to those found in the 024/026 keypunches, with the exception of its punch unit and print head. Rather than punching holes, its punch unit contained sensing pins designed to detect existing perforations; any discrepancies halted card movement and activated a red error signal. The device’s notching mechanism replaced the print assembly found on the 026 and utilized solenoids to create either a top-edge notch or an end-of-card notch.
During verification, operators were allowed up to three attempts to input data correctly. If errors persisted after three tries, an error notch was punched above the column with the issue, and the card’s "OK" punch at the end was disabled. Although operator mistakes could still cause errors, allowing multiple attempts significantly lowered repeated inaccuracies. Some operators attempted to guess prior errors, leading to adjustments that limited data entry to a single attempt before an error notch was applied.
Cards flagged with error notches were typically re-punched by duplicating data up to the error column using an IBM 024 or 026, then correcting and verifying again to enable the "OK" notch. This duplication process involved reading existing holes via sensing pins and transferring that data onto a blank card, facilitating selective correction without full re-entry.
Typewriter Card Punches
The earliest device combining card punching with typewriting capabilities—allowing specific text to be typed and punched—was created by Powers in 1925. IBM’s IBM 824 Typewriter Card Punch replaced the traditional IBM 024 keyboard with an electric typewriter, while the IBM 826 merged this concept with features of the IBM 026 Keypunch, blending typewriting convenience with punched card data entry functionality.
IBM 029 Card Punch
Released alongside System/360 in 1964, the IBM 029 introduced new character codes for symbols such as parentheses, equal signs, plus signs, and others within the EBCDIC character set. Mechanically akin to the IBM 026, it printed punched characters along the top of cards using an expanded code plate containing 2240 printing-pin positions to handle EBCDIC's broader symbol range.
Early versions of the 029 utilized reed relays combined with diodes mounted on SMS cards for logic operations; however, due to reliability concerns with reed relays, later models reverted to wire contact relay technology. Operating on 48 volts DC power, it eliminated reliance on vacuum tubes found in earlier models like the 024 and 026. An optional "Left-Zero" feature—available at extra cost—enabled automatic insertion of leading zeros for right-justified numeric fields, streamlining data entry tasks.
IBM 5924 Key Punch
The IBM 5924 Key Punch represented a T01 variant of the IBM 029 model, introduced in conjunction with IBM's 1971 announcement of the IBM Kanji System. It featured a specialized keyboard allowing operators to press one of fifteen shift keys with their left hand while selecting from among 240 Kanji characters with their right hand. This design supported computer processing of complex character sets from Chinese, Japanese, and Korean scripts containing over 10,000 characters.
IBM 059 Card Verifier
Serving as a companion to the IBM 029 Card Punch, the IBM 059 Verifier marked a departure from the earlier 056 verifier by replacing mechanical pins with optical sensing technology. This change significantly reduced operational noise, making the 059 noticeably quieter than the 056, which was often louder than the 024 keypunch. The optical system utilized a single light source distributed through fiber-optic lightpipes throughout the device. Despite this technological advancement, the fundamental verification method closely resembled that of its predecessor, the 056.
Interestingly, some operators missed the pronounced audible "thunk" feedback of the older model, occasionally pressing keys more forcefully to replicate it—sometimes accelerating wear on keyboard components.
IBM 129 Card Data Recorder
Launched alongside the System/370 in 1971, the IBM 129 integrated functions of punching, verifying, and on-line reading/punching of 80-column cards for compatible computers. A keyboard switch allowed users to alternate between punch and verify modes.
The transistorized architecture of the IBM 129 featured an electronic buffer capable of storing an entire 80-column card image. This innovation eliminated the need for manual correction by ejecting and rekeying cards after errors—a common requirement with earlier IBM keypunches. Instead, operators could use the Backspace key to erase mistakes and re-enter data before automatically punching the whole card upon pressing Release.
Its internal logic relied on SLT modules mounted on a swing-out wire-wrapped backplane. Punching speed was no longer constrained by processing each column individually during keystroke input.
The IBM 129 could hold six programs selectable via a rotary switch. Unlike previous models, program cards were read into memory through the standard card-feed mechanism rather than being wrapped around a dedicated program drum.
Duplication was accomplished using the stored image of the preceding card rather than a separate reading station. Additionally, cards could be optically read using an integrated unit located within the punch station.
Program card
The IBM 024, 026, and 029 keypunches along with their verifiers (056 and 059) supported programming through Program Cards (also known as drum cards), which automated tasks such as field positioning, default characters, and duplication—a significant improvement over earlier Skip Bars.
These program cards were punched on standard cards and wrapped around a rotating drum that engaged with starwheels to trigger electrical contacts encoding instructions across the top six rows [12,11,0,1,2,3]. An optional Second Program feature allowed encoding in the bottom six rows [4-9], selectable by a switch. The program drum could be accessed and removed by tilting open the central cover.
Key encoded functions included:
| Function | #1 | Char. | #2 | Char. | Purpose |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Field Definition | 12 | & | 4 | 4 | Punch all columns except first within a field |
| Start Automatic Skip | 11 | - | 5 | 5 | Automatically skip specified fields |
| Start Automatic Duplication | 0 | 0 | 6 | 6 | Duplicate fields from prior card |
| Alphabetic Shift | 1 | 1 | 7 | 7 | Switch keyboard to Alphabetic mode in field |
| Left Zero Print | 2 | 2 | 8 | 8 | Force printing of leading zeros and signs |
| Print Suppression | 3 | 3 | 9 | 9 | Suppress printing within field |
Programming languages such as FORTRAN, RPG, and IBM Assembly language assigned specific columns for operations (for instance: columns 1,10,16,36,72). Program cards defined these fields to streamline data entry and processing control.
For example:
1.......10........20........30........40........50........60........70........80 1AAAAAAAA1AAAAA1AAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAA1AAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAA &&&&&&&&
In this example, using skip would advance input to column 10; columns 72–80 could be designated as a Numeric Shift field for special characters or sequence numbers.
Note that "Field Definition" (12) and "Alphabetic Shift" (1) print as A. Improper use of Program 2 codes could produce invalid or damaging printer characters.
Program cards enabled automation features such as "gang punching," allowing constant fields to be inserted across multiple decks. Remarkably, they could also be programmed to produce musical tones by rhythmically punching noisy characters.
IBM 5496 Data Recorder for 96-Column Cards
In 1969, IBM introduced the System/3 series of entry-level business computers that utilized a compact 96-column punched card. To support these cards, IBM developed the 5496 Data Recorder, a keypunch device equipped with printing and verification capabilities, along with the IBM 5486 Card Sorter specifically engineered for handling these cards.
Powers and Remington Rand (UNIVAC) Keypunch Machines
Circa 1906, James Powers at the United States Census Bureau created the Powers Keypunch, featuring 240 keys designed particularly for census data processing. Powers established the Powers Accounting Machine Company in 1911, which was later acquired by Remington Rand in 1927. Through its UNIVAC division, Remington Rand manufactured keypunches compatible with their own 90-column cards as well as machines adapted to IBM’s 80-column format. Their mechanical design cleverly avoided IBM patent restrictions by punching all holes in one pass, allowing corrections without discarding cards.
Remington Rand’s keypunch lineup included models such as 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 featured a verification process where cards were reinserted into the keypunch; accurate entries resulted in elongated holes while mistakes produced round perforations, which were mechanically identified by the Automatic Verifying Machine.
In 1969, the UNIVAC 1710 Verifying Interpreting Punch was launched.
Keypunch as a Verb
The expression keypunched—used as a verb derived from keypunch—has expanded to encompass general data entry tasks, reflecting the decline of physical keypunch hardware. Initially, "keypunching" referred to encoding data onto punched cards by pressing keys that simultaneously printed characters and created machine-readable holes. Over time, this term has evolved to signify digital data input rather than the manual punching of cards.
Shift Toward Direct Data Entry
During the 1950s, Remington Rand introduced the UNITYPER, a device enabling direct input of data onto magnetic tape for use with UNIVAC computers. Subsequently, in 1965, Mohawk Data Sciences developed an enhanced magnetic tape encoder marketed as a substitute for traditional keypunch machines. By the mid-1970s, advances in microprocessor technology and affordable computer terminals led to new key-to-tape and key-to-disk solutions offered by companies such as Inforex and Pertec.
Although punched cards remained prevalent for data entry and programming up until the mid-1980s, eliminating the intermediate step of transferring data from punched cards to tape or disk reduced expenses and improved error detection during input. The emergence of video display terminals, interactive timeshared systems, and eventually personal computers empowered original data providers to input information directly, simplifying workflows and diminishing dependence on specialized data entry personnel.
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: IBM 029 Card Punch
- IBM Archives: Railroad Applications of the 001 Keypunch
- IBM Punched Card Accounting Equipment (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).