Australian History: IBM processes Census Data
Data gathering was recorded as early as 1788 in Sydney Grove, but the first nation-wide census was held in 1911. As one may imagine, the amount of data produced from a census is enormous. In earlier times, it would takes months if not years to sort data into usable information.
In 1921, a tabulating system was employed which made data sorting much easier.
The Hollerith (invented by Herman Hollerith) tabulating system used three cards for individual, dwelling and family data respectively.
In 1966, IBM computers were used to process Australian census data.
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