Punched cards (Was: 1" paper tape buy ?

--------------Original Message: Date: Wed, 4 Mar 2009 14:39:41 -0800 (PST) From: Fred Cisin <cisin at xenosoft.com> Subject: Punched cards (Was: 1" paper tape buy ? Does anybody object to changing the subject line? My father used to claim that the only reason for existence of the round-hole, 90, 96 column cards was that IBM patented the particular rectangular shape of their holes. He also claimed that IBM patented the whole idea of using a brass roller for card reading, and that that ALMOST worked to cripple the rest of the industry, until somebody finally got photocell card reading working. --------------Reply: IBM did indeed patent the rectangular holes used in their 80 column cards. Whether the brass roller was a major factor is questionable; after all, their competitors also used punched cards. But there's no question that the general acceptance of IBM's card format and their locked-in customers were instrumental in IBM becoming the giant that they did; while their competitiors struggled during and after the depression, punch card sales helped IBM survive and grow. As late as the mid-fifties punch card sales represented 30% of IBM's bottom line; see: http://www.cbi.umn.edu/hostedpublications/pdf/IBMRochesterHistory.pdf mike