The work of the tabulating machine revolved around punched cards: the operator first used a punch to create the punched cards, then a card reader to identify the information on the cards—mechanically carrying out data tallying and displaying the results in real-time on a counter dial. Lastly, cards were deposited into a particular compartment of a sorting box, categorized, and stored for future use in data tabulation.
Once the invention was realized, and it proved capable of bringing in dollar bills, Herman Hollerith quickly established his own tabulating machine company.
By 1911, the Tabulating Machine Company had merged with three other companies to form the CTR Company.
Now, tabulating machines were like future computers; many large companies purchased them for business data-statistics.