
IBM 1442

IBM 1442 is a combination IBM card reader and card punch. It reads and punches 80-column IBM-format punched cards and is used on the IBM 1440, the IBM 1130, the IBM 1800 and System/360 and is an option on the IBM System/3.
Overview.
The 1442 can read up to 400 cards per minute. Cards are read and punched one column at a time and binary cards are permitted. Cards are read using photocells, illuminated by fiber optics, unlike the IBM 1402, which uses wire brushes to read cards. It is even possible to create (but not read, except in Binary Mode) "IBM Doilies," cards with every possible hole punched. Few other pieces of IBM equipment could do this without sustaining damage.
There are two output stackers, located in the photo on the left lower side. One could program to select the output stacker for each card read, so it is possible to read cards and separate them into two groups. Cards are placed in the top hopper ("face down, nine-edge leading") and a plate is added on the top of the cards. They are read thru and come out to one of the left lower stackers.
The 1442 does not print on the top of the cards; it just punches what characters the columns contains. An older unit record machine, the IBM 557 interpreter, can be used off-line for this function.
Models.
Not all models have both read and punch features.
Reader models.
The following units were not designed to punch cards:
2501/1442 combination.
The 1442 has two weaknesses for those wanting more throughput:
By combining the higher speed IBM 2501 card reader and a punch-only IBM 1442, the 1442's limitations are overcome: