Databases Illuminated, 4th Edition

1.6 Historical Developments in Information Systems

The need to preserve data goes back to earliest recorded history. We see evidence of attempts to provide permanent records of transactions in Sumerian clay tablets, in artifacts left by the Babylonians, in ancient Egyptian hieroglyphics, and even in cave paintings. Paper records have been used for centuries to record information about family histories, treaties, inventories, payment for goods and services, census data, and many other facets of life.

1.6.1 Developments in Storage Media

The use of punched cards for data storage was introduced in 1890, when U.S. census data was stored on punched cards for the first time. By 1890, the country’s population had increased so much that it was anticipated ...