Embedded Files
Hollerith 80 column punch cards were the primary means of information input for the first computer installed in Queensland in 1962 at the Univerity of Queensland. A necessary part of the installation was a number of IBM 029 electric card punches. Manual card punches were an ideal adjunct for corrections and preparing smaller amounts of data or programs.
BTM began manufacture in Britain of an 80 column rectangular hole machine around 1920. Prior to this time they sold imported Hollerith machines made in the USA by the Tabulating Machine Company, which became IBM around 1924.
BTM shifted manufacturing to Letchworth, Hertfordshire in 1920 and finally merged with another company in 1959 to become International Computer & Tabulators and later ICL.
The London address may have been retained as a city office. This location now appears to be 17 Old park Lane, London (relocated due to road works). My expectation is that this punch would have been manufactured during the 1950s.
This particular machine is marked as "Made in Great Britain" as a Type: 1, Suffix: 5, Machine Nr: 4794. There appears to be no records relating this information to a date of manufacture.
Card Gauge (IBM) to check the accuracy of card punching machinery.
References
References
Grace's Guide to British Industrial History - British Tabulating Machine Coy
Herman Hollerith
National Museum of American History - Hollerith Punched Cards
Page updated
Google Sites
Report abuse