The Development of Punch Card Tabulation (2)

YEAR: 1965
ITEM: Book
COMPANY: U.S. Government Printing Office
COUNTRY: USA
IN OUR COLLECTION: Yes

The full title of this book is The Development of Punch Card Tabulation in the Bureau of the Census 1890-1940. Keep in mind that, at this time, the 10-year Census is one of the most data-intensive undertakings in the history of the nation. Many believe it is only due to Hollerith's inventions that the 1890 census was done before the 1900 census was due to begin. But Truesdell seems to have missed that point.

One reviewer, in 1969, said this of the book:

"Chapters ii and iii will be the most interesting to historians of technology, the former being on Herman Hollerith, Dr. John Shaw Billings, and the relations between them, the latter being an all-too-brief account of the Hollerith tabulating system. While in the latter chapter the term system appears frequently, the author either does not appreciate or does not feel worthy of mention the fact that Hollerith developed an integrated system in the modern sense. Truesdell does not discuss in depth all of the components of the system, let alone show how they are all part of a unified whole.

The major disappointment, however, is Chapter ii. Less than two pages discuss Herman Hollerith, the developer of the system about which the book is written..."
Larry Murphy. Technology and Culture, Volume 10, Number 3, July 1969, pp. 455-457. (Review)

These books are somewhat hard to find but this is special in that it contains Truesdel's signature and a handwritten note. The inscription reads as follows:
(The first/last names of the recipients are somewhat illegible...see picture.)

To Mr. & Mrs. Waldron Fanllens
With the compliments of
the author
Leon E Truesdell
June 1967

There is also a stamp at the bottom left of the page that indicates this book was in Truesdell's library and not inscribed at a book signing. The stamp reads:

Dr. Leon E. Truesdell
3429 Ordway Street
Washington 16, D. C.

Get Our Newsletter

IMAGES

Click on any of the images below to see the slideshow.

Documents

Documents for this item have not yet been scanned or not yet posted. There are a lot of pages...contact us if you have an immediate need. (Although there are not a lot of "immediate needs" for a 70+ year old computer!)

One Of A Kind

There are other books by Truesdell and at least one that has his signature and a note...The Canadian Born in The United States has a note to FDR's Vice-President Wallace.

This is only known copy of this book that is signed by the author.

If you know the location of any other of these items, please let us know by contacting us at Director@TheComputerChurch.com .

OUR DEFINITIONS OF RARITY

One of a Kind: Only known existing item.
Exceedingly Rare: Only 2 to 10 known to exist.
Very Rare: Only 11 to 25 are known to exist.
Rare: Only 26 to 50 are known to exist.
Difficult: Difficult to find.
Available:Can be commonly be purchased.
Unknown: We cannot make a determination.

(For comparison: Many people consider the Apple-1 computer to be rare. As of 2025 there are 92 confirmed and probable Apple-1 computers.)

We are still building. This feature will be ready by the end of February 2026.

Volunteers
Thanks to our volunteer Angels

Come join us in building our Museum!
We can always use your help.
Interns
Variety of internships for University, Community College and High Schools students