Editing Data processing (section)

=== Automatic data processing ===

The term ''[[Electronic data processing|automatic data processing]]'' was applied to operations performed by means of [[unit record equipment]], such as [[Herman Hollerith]]'s application of [[punched card]] equipment for the [[1890 United States census]]. "Using Hollerith's punchcard equipment, the Census Office was able to complete tabulating most of the 1890 census data in 2 to 3 years, compared with 7 to 8 years for the 1880 census. It is estimated that using Hollerith's system saved some $5 million in processing costs"<ref name=Bohme91 /> in 1890 dollars even though there were twice as many questions as in 1880.