Skip to main content

 
IBM Archives > Exhibits > Antique attic, vol. 3 > 
Artifacts list for vol. 3, items I-L >

(IBM) Hollerith 070

Vertical Sorter

 
 
Previous artifact Previous artifact   Next artifact Next artifact
 
(IBM) Hollerith 070 Vertical Sorter
 
The original Hollerith electric tabulating system did not have an adequate method for sorting cards. This became a problem in the 1900 agricultural census, so Herman Hollerith (1860-1929) developed an automatic sorter. The first one was a tabletop model with the bins arranged horizontally. Later, when his system was gaining favor commercially, Hollerith redesigned the sorter into a sturdier, vertical machine that would not take up too much space in small railroad offices. This 070 Vertical Sorting Machine of 1908 could operate at a rate of 250-270 cards a minute.