Final answer:
Herman Hollerith invented the punch card tabulation machine to assist the U.S. Census in managing large amounts of data effectively, marking a significant development in the history of data processing and computing.
Step-by-step explanation:
Herman Hollerith invented the punch card tabulation machine to help the U.S. Bureau of the Census tally information about tens of millions of residents. This invention was crucial in the history of data processing and is considered a significant step in the development of modern computing. The device allowed for digital computers to efficiently process large amounts of information, which was particularly valuable given the rapid population growth in the United States from 76 million in 1900 to around 300 million. With Hollerith's technology, the Census Bureau could manage the collected data more effectively for population apportionment and resource allocation.