Herman Hollerith
Invented the tabulating machine, which was crucial for processing the 1890 US Census.
Most quoted
"I came to the conclusion that if I could devise a mechanism whereby the items of information could be recorded by means of holes in cards, and then combined and counted by electrical means, the whole census problem could be solved."
— from Interview/Recollection, 1889
"My invention comprises a traveling carrier for the card, a series of electrically-controlled counters, and means for bringing the card and the counters into cooperative relation."
— from Patent Application, 1889
"The problem of handling statistics by mechanical means is one of the most interesting and important problems that has ever been presented to the inventor."
— from An Electric Tabulating System, 1889
All quotes by Herman Hollerith (430)
The electrical tabulating machine is a testament to the power of American ingenuity.
I foresee a day when these machines will be indispensable to every large organization.
The accuracy of the results obtained by my system is unparalleled.
The development of the tabulating machine was a long and arduous journey.
My goal was to make statistical work faster, cheaper, and more reliable.
The punched card is a universal language for data.
The success of the 1890 census is a direct result of the electrical tabulating system.
I am proud to have contributed to the advancement of statistical science.
The challenges were immense, but the rewards were greater.
The future belongs to those who can process information efficiently.
My machines are not just for numbers; they are for knowledge.
The electrical tabulating system represents a new era in data processing.
Innovation is the engine of progress.
The demand for efficient data handling will only grow.
I built a better mousetrap, and the world beat a path to my door.
The principles behind my machines are still relevant today.
My work is a testament to the power of applied engineering.
The electrical tabulating machine is a tool for understanding the world.
We are just beginning to scratch the surface of what these machines can do.
The census of 1890 proved the viability of my system beyond a doubt.
Contemporaries of Herman Hollerith
Other Engineerings born within 50 years of Herman Hollerith (1860–1929).