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 punch card is the key to unlocking the secrets hidden in data.
The efficiency gained by mechanical tabulation is immeasurable.
The machine is a tool for understanding the world around us.
The future of information processing began with a hole in a card.
The electrical tabulating system transformed the art of statistics into a science.
The machine is a bridge between raw data and meaningful insight.
The machine will do the work of several clerks, and do it with greater accuracy and speed.
My dear Mother, the census work is progressing well, and I am confident my system will prove invaluable.
The future of data processing lies in automation. Manual methods are simply too slow and prone to error.
I am constantly striving for perfection in my designs. Every detail matters.
The challenges are immense, but the rewards of innovation are even greater.
My wife, Lucia, is my greatest support and inspiration. Her understanding is invaluable.
The business is growing, and with it, the need for more efficient ways to handle information.
I believe in the power of observation and meticulous experimentation. That is how true progress is made.
The world is on the cusp of an information revolution, and I am proud to be a part of it.
Competition is fierce, but it only drives me to innovate further.
My children bring me immense joy. They are a constant reminder of the future.
The principles of logic and mechanics are intertwined in my work.
I am always looking for ways to improve and refine my inventions.
The complexities of large-scale data demand sophisticated solutions.
Contemporaries of Herman Hollerith
Other Engineerings born within 50 years of Herman Hollerith (1860–1929).