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Octafish

(55,745 posts)
Thu May 15, 2014, 10:15 PM May 2014

Who enabled NAZI Germany to round up the Jews? Think IBM. [View all]

Last edited Thu May 15, 2014, 11:41 PM - Edit history (1)

The company and its Hollerith machines enabled the fascists to tabulate census data and find out "who was who?" and "who did what?"and "who lives where?"



Oh. The IBM machines and the cards they used to process information also were used to find out "how many Jews?" and "where are they?"



IBM & "Death's Calculator"

by Edwin Black

EXCERPT...

When the Reich needed to mount a systematic campaign of Jewish economic disenfranchisement and later began the massive movement of European Jews out of their homes and into ghettos, once again, the task was so prodigious it called for a computer. But in 1933, no computer existed. When the Final Solution sought to efficiently transport Jews out of European ghettos along railroad lines and into death camps, with timing so precise the victims were able to walk right out of the boxcar and into a waiting gas chamber, the coordination was so complex a task, this too called for a computer. But in 1933, no computer existed.

However, another invention did exist: the IBM punch card and card sorting system-a precursor to the computer. IBM, primarily through its German subsidiary, made Hitler's program of Jewish destruction a technologic mission the company pursued with chilling success. IBM Germany, using its own staff and equipment, designed, executed, and supplied the indispensable technologic assistance Hitler's Third Reich needed to accomplish what had never been done before-the automation of human destruction. More than 2,000 such multi-machine sets were dispatched throughout Germany, and thousands more throughout German-dominated Europe. Card sorting operations were established in every major concentration camp. People were moved from place to place, systematically worked to death, and their remains cataloged with icy automation.

SNIP...

I was haunted by a question whose answer has long eluded historians. The Germans always had the lists of Jewish names. Suddenly, a squadron of grim-faced SS would burst into a city square and post a notice demanding those listed assemble the next day at the train station for deportation to the East. But how did the Nazis get the lists? For decades, no one has known. Few have asked.

The answer: IBM Germany's census operations and similar advanced people counting and registration technologies. IBM was founded in 1898 by German inventor Herman Hollerith as a census tabulating company. Census was its business. But when IBM Germany formed its philosophical and technologic alliance with Nazi Germany, census and registration took on a new mission. IBM Germany invented the racial census-listing not just religious affiliation, but bloodline going back generations. This was the Nazi data lust. Not just to count the Jews — but to identify them.

CONTINUED...

http://www.jewishvirtuallibrary.org/jsource/Holocaust/gypibm.html



For me, one who's carried this knowledge most of my adult life, I find it difficult to grasp how anyone could fail to fathom where today's secret government and all its illegalities will head.

So, for science:

Did you know that IBM helped the NAZIs round up the Jewish people in Germany and throughout occupied Europe?
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13 (87%)
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Edwin Black discusses the re-issue of 'IBM and the Holocaust' at Yeshiva University Octafish May 2014 #1
Here's an interesting list of corporations that collaborated with the Nazis deutsey May 2014 #2
Big Names, all. Octafish May 2014 #3
also French cosmetic firm L'Oréal. mylye2222 May 2014 #5
Edwin Black documented how the NAZIs got inspiration from American Academia. Octafish May 2014 #8
This entire thread is excellent. hunter May 2014 #28
Tabulating machine Javaman May 2014 #4
Punch Hole No. 8 Octafish May 2014 #6
Hey, it's only metadata. What's your problem? /sarcasm k&r, nt. appal_jack May 2014 #13
What Hannah Arendt said... Octafish May 2014 #16
I saw that trending during my entire teaching career. Book collecting is still a good idea. ancianita May 2014 #19
And they got their rental payments through a Swiss bank all through the war. hobbit709 May 2014 #7
A few names for the record... Octafish May 2014 #14
IBM also set up the pass system in South Africa, developed the bar code for pass swiping. ancianita May 2014 #9
Final solutions for a small planet - the Use of Computers to Support Oppression Octafish May 2014 #15
Thanks for the link! Truths persist over time, no matter how deeply buried by history's 'winners.' ancianita May 2014 #17
They know they can get a way with it. CanSocDem May 2014 #10
Each NAZI concentration camp had a three digit Hollerith card code. Octafish May 2014 #21
And Mercedes Benz made the engines that powered the gas chambers. Hepburn May 2014 #11
Not BMW - a man was the ultimate slave driving machine... Octafish May 2014 #25
10 Global Businesses that Worked With the Nazis Javaman May 2014 #12
Nasty Business: Corporate Deals with NAZI Germany Octafish May 2014 #26
I'm not at all surprised to see that 90% of DU'ers knew this... Shandris May 2014 #18
DU Spreads Truth. Octafish May 2014 #27
Yes. Randi Rhodes covered this at length. Another reason her leaving radio is so tragic. SalviaBlue May 2014 #20
Randi always makes clear where she stands. Octafish May 2014 #29
Definitely knew about this Separation May 2014 #22
The Bush NAZI Coke Moonie Connection Octafish May 2014 #30
For those new to the subject...The Abominable Dr. Ishii and Gen. Willoughby Octafish May 2014 #32
It also enabled the atom bomb. rug May 2014 #23
Thank you, rug! Outstanding link and history. Octafish May 2014 #33
Important thread, k&r. nt bananas May 2014 #24
IBM enabled the Holocaust. Imagine what NSA could do today? Octafish May 2014 #34
Many people don't know this, but then many really don't know as Cleita May 2014 #31
Thanks to supercomputers and modern programming, we're a click away from 'Turnkey Tyranny.' Octafish May 2014 #36
It's stunning the extent we have regressed into what is a cyber Cleita May 2014 #38
Doña Cleita, you are most welcome. Just standing on the shoulders of giants... Octafish May 2014 #39
Just like the transatlantic slave trade was enabled by the dude who invented the BOAT. cherokeeprogressive May 2014 #35
Watson wasn't just Hitler's dining companion. Octafish May 2014 #37
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