Paper perforated tape

Perforated paper tapes were one of the first media storing low quantities of digital information. These tapes were used widely to import and export data to/from early computer, to store teletype messages or to store EPROM programmer source. There were many types of these tapes, as they could store 4, 5, 6 or 7 holes in a row. 8-channel tapes were rare. The most popular tapes were used in teletype units, they were 5 channel tapes with one tracking row. In computers 7 and 8-channel tapes were used, but not always - many early computers used the same teletype tape and code, so results could be printed on an ordinary teletype or fed to computer from teletype using tape.
Paper tapes were read mechanically and later optically. They were slower than magnetic tapes and could store less data.


PT-3 Tape  
Manufactured by: ??

Type: Paper media (7 channels)
Capacity: Low
Information:
This tape was used probably with MERA computer, as they frequently used 7-channel tapes. It's an 7-channel punched paper tape with one lead channel.
I have tried to decipher the data, they seem to be some numbers delimited by 0x1C.

  Here are some photos from catalogues and magazines:
Polish tape reader for Odra machines Polish perforator for Odra machines Tape reader in Orgatechnika

 

Prototype of IMM Polish tape perforator/reader. Unknown tape reader Regnecentralen tape reader

 

Tape output from mainframe Terminal with perforated tape support Device to correct errors in tape holes

Even more photos:
  - Celleatron accounting machine programmable by perforated tape

In 1960s and 1970s in Poland, perforated tape was a symbol of computer usage and automatization - it was present as a symbol of development of computer systems. We can see it on many propaganda materials, newspapers and logos. For example, we can see it on "30 years of People Republic of Poland" emblem printed even in notebook covers in 1970s: