Which input method allowed for faster data entry by pressing all digits at once?
Answer
Key-set mechanisms
Key-set mechanisms, exemplified by machines like the Comptometer popularized by Felt & Tarrant, offered a distinct advantage in data entry speed over the pinwheel design. Operators using key-set machines could depress all the required digits simultaneously before initiating the calculation stroke via a lever throw. Conversely, the pinwheel calculator demanded that the operator manually set each input dial corresponding to the required digit individually for every number entered, which created a significant bottleneck during complex calculations involving numerous entries. While the pinwheel offered tactile feedback, the key-set approach was superior for sheer rapid data input.
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