Final answer:
Herman Hollerith's tabulating machine was designed to compile census data, streamlining and revolutionizing data processing for censuses in the late 19th century.
Step-by-step explanation:
Herman Hollerith's tabulating machine was used to compile census data. This invention was a significant milestone in the history of computing and data management. Developed in the late 19th century, it greatly improved the efficiency and accuracy of processing the vast amounts of data collected during a census. Its operation was a precursor to modern-day computing, using punch cards to sort and tabulate information, which allowed for the rapid and efficient processing of data. It replaced the slower, manual methods previously used, thus revolutionizing how census data was compiled and analyzed.