When were punched cards used?

Punched cards were widely used from the late 19th century into the mid-20th century, particularly in data processing and early computing. They gained prominence with the introduction of the tabulating machine by Herman Hollerith in the 1890s, which was used for the 1890 U.S. Census. Their use continued until the 1970s, when more advanced technologies like magnetic tape and direct keyboard input began to replace them.