Georgetown in Northwest Washington in Washington, District of Columbia — The American Northeast (Mid-Atlantic)

Herman Hollerith

Tabulating Machine

Photographed by J. Makali Bruton, September 10, 2016

1. Herman Hollerith Marker

Inscription. In this building, Herman Hollerith perfected his pioneering punched card tabulating machines -- the forerunners of today's computer systems. Hollerith moved his business here in 1892 while his early machines were at work on the U.S. census of 1890, the first major application of data processing equipment.

Later he developed more automatic forms of the machines on this site employed by railroads, insurance companies, steel mills, governments and other organizations in the U.S. and abroad, Hollerith machines revolutionized the way information was processed.

In 1911, Hollerith sold his tabulating machine company to the firm that became IBM. The company continued to use this building as a punched card plant until just before World War II.

Erected 1984 by IBM Corporation.

Topics. This historical marker is listed in this topic list: Industry & Commerce. A significant historical year for this entry is 1892.

Location. 38° 54.262′ N, 77° 3.674′ W. Marker is in Northwest Washington in Washington, District of Columbia. It is in Georgetown. It is at the intersection of 31st Street Northwest and C&O Canal Towpath Northwest, on the right when traveling south on 31st Street Northwest. Touch for map. Marker is at or near this postal address: 1054 31st Street Northwest, Washington DC 20007, United States of America. Touch for directions.

Regionally, this marker is in the Washington Metropolitan Area.

It is also in the American Northeast,

in the Upper South,

in the Mid-Atlantic,

in the Tidewater,

and in the Chesapeake Bay Region.

Globally, it is in the North Atlantic Region,

North America,

the Western Hemisphere,

the Western World,

and the Anglosphere.

Other nearby markers.

Paid Advertisement

Click or scan to see
this page online

At least 8 other markers are within walking distance of this marker: A Long Stretch of Quiet and Peace… (a few steps from this marker); Canal Square (a few steps from this marker); a different marker also named The Georgetown House (a few steps from this marker); a different marker also named The Georgetown House (a few steps from this marker); Creating a National Park (within shouting distance of this marker); An Industrial Georgetown (within shouting distance of this marker); At All Hours (about 300 feet away, measured in a direct line); a different marker also named Canal Square (about 300 feet away). Touch for a list and map of all markers in Northwest Washington.

Other markers no longer nearby. The History of Canal Square (was a few steps from this marker but has been replaced with another marker now near it); The Georgetown House (was a few steps from this marker but has been replaced with another marker now near it).

Photographed by J. Makali Bruton, September 10, 2016

2. Herman Hollerith Marker

The marker is on the building's southern corner. The C&O Canal and Towpath are just south of the building.

Photographed by J. Makali Bruton, September 10, 2016

3. Herman Hollerith Marker

The marker is on the front of the building. An additional marker, including a quote from William O. Douglas about the C&O Canal, can be seen on the building's southern face.

Credits. This page was last revised on January 30, 2023. It was originally submitted on September 11, 2016, by J. Makali Bruton of Washington, District of Columbia. This page has been viewed 1,796 times since then and 115 times this year. Photos: 1, 2, 3. submitted on September 11, 2016, by J. Makali Bruton of Washington, District of Columbia.