The IBM 77 electric punched card
collator performed many card filing and pulling
operations. As a filing machine, the Type 77 fed
and compared simultaneously two groups of punched
cards: records already in file and records to be
filed. These two groups were merged in correct numerical
or alphabetical sequence. When operated for the
purpose of pulling cards, the Type 77 made it possible
for one group of cards to pull corresponding cards
from another group.
Introduced in 1937, the IBM 77 collator rented for $80 a month. It was capable of handling 240 cards a minute, and was 40.5 inches long and 51 inches high. IBM withdrew the Type 77 from marketing on November 27, 1957. (VV4004)