tabulator images

The First Punch Card Tabulator

The U.S. census of 1890 was counted on tabulating machines designed by Herman Hollerith (on the wall). The card was placed in the reader, the handle was pulled down, and the data was tabulated on the dials. Then the appropriate lid opened up on the sorting box, and the punch card was dropped in. (Image courtesy of The Computer History Museum, www.computerhistory.org)

A Tabulator in the 1960s

Tabulating machines such as this IBM 407 (left) were used throughout the 1960s to print millions of reports, invoices and checks. IBM was the leading tabulating equipment vendor. (Image courtesy of International Business Machines Corporation. Unauthorized use not permitted.)

More tabulator images

Learn more about tabulator