Key Punch Machine

A Key Punch Machine is a type of equipment used in the early days of computing to input data into punched cards. It is classified under the supply class Punched Card Equipment, which refers to equipment specifically designed for handling punched cards.

Key Punch Machines were used to manually punch holes in the cards, representing data or instructions. Each key on the machine corresponded to a specific character or symbol, and when pressed, it would punch the corresponding hole in the card. This allowed for the creation of punched card decks that could be read by computer systems.

In the supply group Information Technology Equipment (Including Firmware), Software, Supplies And Support Equipment, Key Punch Machines fall under the category of hardware equipment. This group encompasses various types of equipment, software, supplies, and support equipment used in the field of information technology.

Key Punch Machines played a crucial role in early data processing and were widely used in industries such as banking, government, and scientific research. However, with the advent of more advanced input methods like keyboards and magnetic tape, the use of Key Punch Machines has become obsolete in modern computing.