Crystallographic computing at Caltech 1947

Computing Center

IBM (Hollerith) operators at the Caltech Computing Center machine room performing crystallographic computation using the IBM card punch systems. The structure model on the table appears to be a Leybold phenakite (label missing). The drawing on the wall is probably an incorrect model for serine. The machines are most likely IBM numeric duplicating key punch, 10043, Type 012 (which replaced the IBM electric key punch Type 011 used for the Shaffer paper); IBM horizontal sorter, 55645, Type 080 Model 1; and IBM electric accounting machine (or alphabetic tabulator) with direct subtraction and 88 type bars fitted with 7 extra 'X-distributors' for a total of twelve, 10978, Type 405. The key punch operator at the bottom left is long-time Caltech employee, Lillian Casler. The names of the other two operators could not be identified.

[Contributed by L. M. D. Cranswick on 15 Jan 2010] 

High-resolution version

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