-40%
1 PROGRAM CARD that plays "Shave and a Haircut" run through a Keypunch Machine
$ 5.28
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Description
1 PROGRAM CARD that plays "Shave and a Haircut" run through a Keypunch MachineThis is a program card, but unlike any other. This may seem a bit crazy, but if you have a keypunch machine . . .
Program cards were wrapped around a drum inside the Keypunch machine to guide the cards punched to stop at certain fields or specific card columns on the card. they also could duplicate characters from the previous card in the relative column of the new card. the duplication operation made a machinegun type sound.
The idea accrued that this rudimentary sound could produce a melodic phrase. So, this program cards intention is to match the words, "Shave and a Haircut, Two Bits" when ran through a Key Punch Machine.
Note that it takes two cards to pull off the full phrase. The Program is set on skip and duplicate so the cards feed and eject automatically.
Load two* cards in the Machine, make sure the program switch is set to "ONE". Then start by "FEEDING" the first.
The first card goes through on Program One pounding out "Shave and a Haircut" and then as the second card follows, the operator has to change the switch to Program "Two" for the "Two Bits" ending.
*For a louder sound the first card through needs to be half full of punches which turns the volume up when duplicating. The second card can just be blank (as included). Since the phase is customarily louder on the last two notes, "Two Bits", the first card will be dupped off of when in the the phrase reaches the second card. So the first card will be dupping all those multi-punches and sound much louder.
If you do this the second card will look much like the first, since most of the columns will be copied.
This card used was a Burlington Northern Railway Work Perform entry cards Form (17002). The Multi-punched card is a Waybill entry card Form 17001.
This program card was punched out in the 70's or 80's and stored away ever since. Some notes are written on the card are for guidance in calculating the tempo of "Shave and a Haircut.
(Not sure I have any idea what all those red notes mean, nowadays.)
See Photos
Note 2 extra cards are included in auction one not shown in photos.
Shipping for USA only. Other countries may add extra shipping and/or custom duties.