It used six phone booth-sized magnetic tape readers for computations.

Among the optional pieces of equipment was a paper tape punch and a magnetic tape reader.

A paper tape reader was smaller and much less expensive than hollerith card or magnetic tape readers.

The weight of a magnetic tape reader bulged the thigh pocket of his coveralls, but the flap was still sealed.

Numericord was similar to the MIT design, but replaced the punch tape with a magnetic tape reader that General Electric was working on.