A sorting machine is used to group the cards according to the information punched in them. The cards are guided automatically into receiving pockets according to the position of the punched holes in the vertical columns. The automatic sorting is made on one column at a time. It is apparent, therefore, that to arrange a group of cards in numerical sequence according to the data punched in a three-column field, the group of cards is passed through the sorting machine three times.

The third step in mechanical tabulation is the automatic compilation of the punched data. This is done in the tabulator. In a non-printing tabulator, the information is merely accumulated in dials. In another type of machine, the data may be automatically added and printed.

Machines for mechanical tabulation are built by International Business Machines Company, New York City, and Remfngton Rand, Inc., New York City. Tabulating work is done on a service basis in various cities throughout the country.

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International Business Machine Co., New York City.

Punched Card for Use in Machine Tabulation.

1. Tabulating cards arc made of paper stock carefully processed to permit of extremely

rapid actuation of all three machines -- the punch, the sorter, and the tabulator. The card size is 7W x 3'/i".

2. Cards may be punched for each item or classification on a customer's invoice showing, for example, customer number, salesman, district or territory, trade class, complete item identification, and amount.

3. All cards may be balanced to a control and at any time can be sorted and tabulated