Large-scale data processing in the Prudential, 1850–1930

Industrial assurance, which dates from the 1850s, involved the frequent collection of small Premiums for policies to meet funeral costs. The need to minimize operational and administrative expenses created major business and competitive opportunities. This paper describes the organizational and data-processing innovations in the Prudential Assurance Company that enabled it to achieve and maintain its domination of the British industrial assurance market. Some more general conclusions are drawn on the impact and take-up of office mechanization.