IBM 514

The IBM 514 Reproducing Punch [http://www.tietokonemuseo.saunalahti.fi/eng/kuva_11_eng.htm (photo)] was a card punching machine developed by IBM. The 514 was announced in 1949, withdrawn in 1978. The machine could perform these functions:

* Reproducing all or part of the data on a deck of punched cards.
* Gang punching -- copying punched information from a master card.
* Summary punching -- punching a total or new balance card amounts which have been accumulated in the accounting machine.
* Mark sensing -- the operation by which information recorded in the form of pencil marks on a card is turned into punches on the cards.

Mark sensing allowed a person to enter data to be used in punched-card data processing without using a keypunch machine. It was used for tasks like recording long distance calls or meter readings.

Unlike other types of IBM unit record equipment, the 514 fed cards face down 12 edge first. The advantage of this was worn out decks from other equipment (which fed cards face down 9 edge first), having frayed 9 edges would still feed reliably through the reproducer, allowing a fresh copy to be made.

References

* [http://www-03.ibm.com/ibm/history/exhibits/rochester/rochester_4011.html IBM Archive: IBM 514]
*cite book
last = IBM
title = IBM Reference Manual: 513, 514 Reproducing Punches
date = October, 1959
id = A24-1002-2
url = http://www.bitsavers.org/pdf/ibm/cardProc/A24-1002-2_513-514_reprPun.pdf

External links

* [http://www.columbia.edu/acis/history/reproducer.html Columbia University Computing History: IBM Reproducing/Summary Punches] .