And business calculations at many companies were automated or semi-automated by tabulating machines before those were finally replaced by fully programmable com

And business calculations at many companies were automated or semi-automated by tabulating machines before those were finally replaced by fully programmable computers. The IBM 1401 released in 1959 was designed to make inroads into that market as a drop-in substitute or upgrade. Earlier computers would probably not have been financially viable in many of those roles: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ZPpV8X91neQ https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ZPpV8X91neQ