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Nevertheless, it would not be surprising if the mechanically opera
ting parts of this equipment are worn out within a few months and
have to be replaced. This could even be considered a small price to
pay for the increased speed of data processing.
The previously mentioned fear of automation in general and of
computers in particular, is in my opinion, steadily decreasing.
Apart from the fact that people are becoming familiar with the idea
of automation, many will appreciate the advantages of automation
over the disadvantages that certainly exist. The attainment of the
standard of living, as seen, for example, in large parts of the U.S.A.
and in a number of Western European countries is ultimately
attributable to their advanced technical development, of which
automation is a part. If 3,000 million inhabitants of the earth are
to be fed, clothed, and sheltered to decent human standards, and
are to be given the opportunity and means to relax, we indeed
need automation very sorely.
Section 2automation of measurements of angle and distance
The most important advantage to be gained from the automatic
recording of field observations is not the saving of time but rather
the elimination of errors in booking.
The present form of recording measurements according to the
grid marking system, even with the use of so called mark-sensing
cards, or data copies translated by optical card copy readers
(IBM 1231, IBM 1232, IBM 1287) into "punched" form, or other
variants, cannot be considered as automatic registration. The form
of recording mentioned here is useful only if one intends to mecha
nize the processing of field measurements as far as possible.
In Holland a system like this is used at the Koninklijke Neder-
landsche Heidemaatschappij. See [19], [20] and [21]. A similar
system developed in Western Germany, is described in [22].
The grid marking system as such can undoubtedly be made usa
ble for the direct recording of instrument readings provided the
relative parts of, for instance, the punched card, are marked by
pressing a button. The trouble, however, is that on account of its
bulk and weight conventional punch card equipment is not suitable
for such a development. In the near future micro-circuits and
micro-punching equipment will play a role in this.
The system of direct recording of observations mentioned in my
last report, as developed on the instructions of E. Lang by the firms
of Fennel and Kern in cooperation with Zuse, is the most used
system at the present moment. However, its application only
extends over a limited field (see section 1). The application for
patent, which was made in i960, summarizes the system as follows:
for the recording and direct processing of field results by electronic
computers, the theodolite is provided with coded numerals beside
the familiar circles and numerals. If the theodolite is equipped with
an optical micrometer its circle is also coded. Auxiliary readings,
