Check Six: The HIANG’s First Computer

Posted on Jun 9, 2021 in 1960's, 1970's, Check Six

Photographs off the internet

In the 1960’s and early 1970’s, an IBM card sorter was a part of every Air National Guard Wing/Group. What we called a computer in this timeframe could add, subtract and arrange things alphabetically and numerically. 

Supply, Finance and Personnel areas would have a key card punch operator who typed the information on each card. The cards were stacked in the sorter (the equipment shown in the photograph), and they would be rearranged in order. They could then be printed on paper for use by various sections for supply stock, shot records, financial reports, etc. 

This equipment took a large room to house the computer bays. At the 154th Wing, it was located on the first floor of the supply building.