A tabulating machine is a device used to process and organize data, often through punched cards. It was invented in the late 19th century and became widely used for tasks like census data processing. The machine reads the holes in the cards to tally information, making it easier to analyze large sets of data. One of the most notable figures associated with the development of tabulating machines is Herman Hollerith. His invention significantly improved data handling efficiency and laid the groundwork for modern computing. Tabulating machines played a crucial role in the evolution of data processing technologies.