Haven't posted for quite a while, life takes a few right angles at times. I just looked in (I did from time to time) and saw mention of the old IBM punch card machine. Brought back memories, I started in IT working for Gestetner in Tottenham, round by the Hale. The punch room was staffed totally by girls - men would not last long in there - and the supervisor was called Pam in my day. It was a rowdy place not for the faint-hearted but the cards got punched.

When one of them got married she was given a 'Marriage Book' which were pornographic (it was the 1970s and I don't think the Sun had Page 3 girls then did they?), they generally had a condom inside.

But, as mentioned the unused punch card was the finest note pad yet developed by man, fitted neatly into the pocket, was durable and about the right size for a note. Sad day when the Punch Room disappeared.

Did anyone else on this site ever work for Gestetners?? Odd place by today's standards.