The history of computing began with the idea of creating a machine that could count or add integer multi-digit numbers. The first sketch of a 13-bit device was developed around 1500 by da Vinci. The operating adder was designed by Pascal in 1642. These famous inventors started the era of computers.
Automation
For a large number of settlement operations, not only the speed of each of them is important, but also the absence of gaps between them, in which human participation is required. Many famous inventors have tried to solve this problem. It was necessary that the operations go sequentially one after another without stopping.
Introducing the "on the go" program
The history of computing knows many outstanding scientists who have contributed to the development of automation. So, in the early 80s. In the 19th century, it was proposed to use punched cards to pre-record the program and enter it into the device. Themthe developer was Herman Hollerith. In computer science, this scientist made a real revolution. Let's take a closer look at his inventions.
Herman Hollerith: biography
The scientist was born on February 29, 1860 in Buffalo. He was the seventh child. His father emigrated from Germany to the United States in 1848. After the move, Hollerith entered the school, from which he was quickly expelled. As a rule, Herman left the class before spelling. The teacher once closed the door and the boy jumped out from the second floor. After that, he was expelled from school. Herman Hollerith received further education from a Lutheran teacher. With him, he took courses in secondary and higher schools. At 16, he entered college with a degree in mining. However, the young man was interested not so much in the profession itself as in technology. While studying at Columbia College, he met Trowbridge, who after a while made him his assistant. So Herman Hollerith got into the Statistical Office for the American Census.
Career
At 19, Herman Hollerith went to Washington, where he began his work. He became active in Georgetown social circles. After some time, Hollerith meets Billings. The latter was an authoritative expert in the field of statistical information analysis, therefore he worked as the director of the population census department. Billings told Hollerith about his idea of building a machine that would use punched cards to generate tables from the data it received. Different authors point to two versions of the influence of the director of management on further activities in the design of the device. According to the first, Billings proposed using punched cards with a description of the person using marks along their edges and a sorting device. According to the second version, he simply offered to come up with some kind of device.
First experience
In 1882, Herman Hollerith was invited to the Massachusetts Institute as a teacher. He worked at the school for a year. During this time, Hollerith refined his ideas and developed the first census recording and tabulation equipment. In 1883, he returned to Washington, where he began work in the patent office. The knowledge gained there was useful to him as an inventor, and he used it for the next decades. In 1884, he put forward the idea of improving the railroad brake system. Here it should be said about the financial condition in which Herman Hollerith was. He could design a tabulator in the early 80s, but he did not have the money for this. At the same time, he could not borrow from anyone.
Patents
In St. Louis, Herman Hollerith assembled electric brakes for a train and took part in a competition. The event presented systems operating on the principle of vacuum and using compressed air. The electric brake was voted the best of the five. However, there were doubts about the practicality of its use due to the thunderstorm threat. In this regard, the system was rejected, and patents for brakesremained inactive until the expiration of their term. The next invention was the apparatus for corrugating pipes made of metal. It also did not find its application at first, but later General Motors took advantage of it in the manufacture of flexible joints.
Herman Hollerith: tabulator
The new patent, registered on September 23, 1884, was the most important of all. Herman Hollerith's machine was used to tabulate mortality statistics in B altimore in 1887. Data from 1889 in New York was also processed using this device. Applying all his experience, Herman Hollerith proved that punched cards are the most important element in the process of forming tables. In 1887 he made a correction to the patent. Because of this, many industrialists had to enter into license agreements with Hollerith for his device. In the 1890 census, information about each citizen was transferred to cards 73/8 × 33/4 inches. Next, perforation was made along the edges for each characteristic. Diagonally, one corner was cut for convenience in the process of counting and sorting. The last operation was carried out visually, since other methods were not developed then. Hollerith's machine independently perforated according to the pattern. The device facilitated the work of the operator and reduced the number of errors.
The essence of the apparatus
For his device, Herman Hollerith designed a press with a hard rubber plate and a guide stop. There were recesses in the plate. They matchedlocation of perforations on the map. They were partly filled with mercury and connected by terminals to the back of the case. Above the plate was a box with contact projection points. They were powered by springs. When the card was placed in the press, the contact point touched the mercury, and the circuit was closed. This, in turn, activated the counter. Its dial could record numbers up to 10,000. He moved with the help of a magnet, which received a signal through mercury recesses, by 1 division. From time to time, data from the counter was read, and the total result was transferred to the final card manually.
Precision control
A number of measures were taken to ensure it:
- If summing up was carried out simultaneously for several characteristics, the dial registered each passing card. So it was possible to check the result by adding intermediate indicators.
- When the registration was correct, the device rang. If it was missing, the error had to be found and corrected.
- The press only processed cards with the specific code it was programmed with.
- Punch cards that belonged to the same group had a common hole. With the help of a wire rod, the presence of "foreign" cards was detected.
World famous
Hollerith was known to the masses, but in 1890 he achieved a completely unforeseen success. He managed to get a contract for 11census procedures after winning the competition in 4 districts of St. Louis, in which more than 10 thousand people lived. The method developed by Herman Hollerith was distinguished not only by the highest speed, but also by the highest accuracy. According to estimates, the designer saved the state almost 600 thousand dollars. In 1890, the scientist turned 30. He was awarded the degree of Doctor of Philosophy. Hollerith made an important deal with the US Census Bureau. In mid-September 1890, he married the daughter of his Washington doctor. Almost immediately after the wedding, Hollerith entered into an agreement with the Austrian government for the use of his device in the Central Bureau of Statistics. From that moment began the international career of a scientist. By 1895, his devices worked not only in Austria, but also in Canada. At the same time, negotiations were underway on the supply of equipment to Russia and Italy.
Last years of life
Herman Hollerith was very fond of spending time with his family, engaging in agricultural activities, buying cars and building houses. In marriage, he had three daughters and the same number of sons. This outstanding man, who made a huge contribution to statistics, died at his home from a heart attack on November 17, 1929. He ended his life in abundance, surrounded by loving people, in happiness, not regretting any missed opportunities. Until his very last days, he hated all the rules of spelling and allowed himself to write as he pleased.
