"Then and Now" in the Division of Accounting Operations

On November 9, 1936, the "Baltimore Office of Operations" - part of the Records Division and forerunner of the Division of Accounting Operations - began working on the gigantic task of setting up the recordkeeping system for the newly passed Social Security Act. About 2,500 people were recruited from all over the United States, along with a select group of experts from other government agencies. The primary job was to process the applications for the initial registration which was estimated at 26,000,000.

Much has happened since those early days. Today, we are processing over two and one-half times as many earnings items as we did in 1938. The "wonder machine of 1937," the collator, which matched account numbers and names, has been replaced with an electronic machine that is faster and more accurate. Another "wonder machine of 1937," the posting machine, has been replaced also by the electronic machine. The individual ledger sheets, which at one time provided detailed earnings information on each account, have been replaced by magnetic tapes and microfilms. The "show place" for visitors, the Flexoline File, is now on microfilm and remains as big an attraction to visitors as in the past. These and many other changes are recorded as proof that the division has kept pace with the changing times.

However, none of these changes would have been possible without the dedicated efforts of our employees. The men of vision - the employee with the questioning attitude - the supervisor who is interested in improving the operations - the employees who are conscious - all have contributed greatly in improving our operations and keeping our costs low. The fact that our personnel has increased only 35% during the past 20 years while the workloads have more than doubled is a tribute to the employees who have considered their jobs challenging and rewarding and a real public service.

The following pages show pictorially some of the changes that have occurred in our operations during the past 25 years. To the old-timers, we hope that the pictures will bring back pleasant memories. To the newcomers, we hope that the past will provide the key to the future.

Listed below are the names of the 160 people still working in DAO who came to the Division before March 31, 1937. There are many other Department employees who worked in DAO in the early years but later transferred to other Department or Bureau organizations.

 Then & Now- Page 5