IBM 024/026 Card Punch Keyboard
Also applies to IBM 056 Card Verifier Keyboard
- Updated 22 October 2023
Contents
Background
Ben Franske - File:IBM26.jpg [accessed 2022-02-06]. License/note: GFDL 1.2 or later.
The IBM 024 Card Punch and 026 Printed Card Punch were IBM's primary keypunch systems from the early 1950s to mid 1960s. Keypunches were used for transcribing data or program code onto hard paper cards by punching precise holes based on an operator's input. The 024 and 026 were electromechanical keypunches that suceeded a plethora of hand-operated keypunches, using 51/60/66/80 column cards[2][2]
Wikipedia - Keypunch [accessed 2022-02-06]. capable of transcribing base 12 values. The system's character set is 48-character 6-bit Binary Coded Decimal Interchange Code (BCDIC)]. The 024 and 026 were almost identical, however, the 026 could also print the punched character above each column to help people read the contents of a punched card. The 024 and 026 also had a related companion, the IBM 056 Card Verifier, that could verify the punched holes on a card are correct by trying to match the data to what the operator is trying to enter[3][3]
Columbia University Computing History - The IBM 026 Key Punch [accessed 2022-02-06].. Despite the differences with these systems, the keyboards for the 024, 026 and 056 are the same and could come in two varieties - the 21-key numeric keyboard or the 45-key combination keyboard. The keyboard assemblies would also serve as the basis for other IBM systems' keyboards for the next two decades after launch. The IBM 024 and 026 were suceeded by the IBM 029 Card Punch in 1964 (the 056 was also succeeded by the 059). The 029 design is mechnically similar to 024/026, however, the 029 was designed to use 8-bit Extended BCDIC (EBCDIC) code instead and replaced the the 024/026's vacuum tubes for transistor based technology.
| OEM(s) | IBM |
| Family | IBM 024/026 |
| Switches | TODO |
| Case material | Steel |
| Case colour(s) | Grey (could also be painted or vinyl wrapped from factory) |
| Layout | 21-key numeric or 45-key combination |
| Connectivity | 16-bit Card Code: keyboard module connects to host via Standard Modular System interface |
| Successor | IBM 029 Card Punch Keyboard |
Design
The outer design of the IBM 024 and 026 featuring rounded corners and heavy steel construction was made by Raymond Loewy[2][2]
Wikipedia - Keypunch [accessed 2022-02-06]., the French-born American industrial designer known as "The Father of Streamlining"[4][4]
Wikipedia - Raymond Loewy [accessed 2022-02-06]..
IBM - IBM 24 Card Punch & 26 Printing Card Punch Reference Manual [accessed 2022-02-06].
IBM - IBM 24 Card Punch & 26 Printing Card Punch Reference Manual [accessed 2022-02-06].
- Ben Franske - File:IBM26.jpg [accessed 2022-02-06]. License/note: GFDL 1.2 or later.
- Wikipedia - Keypunch [accessed 2022-02-06].
- Columbia University Computing History - The IBM 026 Key Punch [accessed 2022-02-06].
- Wikipedia - Raymond Loewy [accessed 2022-02-06].
- IBM - IBM 24 Card Punch & 26 Printing Card Punch Reference Manual [accessed 2022-02-06].
