Fact · Speech recognition
6command words
IBM says Shoebox was capable of understanding the numbers zero through nine and six command words, including plus, minus, total and subtotal.
Checked against its source on October 17, 2026
In the source's own words
“capable of understanding the numbers zero through nine and six command words, including “plus,” “minus,” “total” and “subtotal.””
Speech recognition (IBM Heritage: Shoebox), IBM, IBM, 2026, Main text.
Open the original- What it measures
- Ten digits plus six command words gives the 16 spoken words that the 1961 machine is usually credited with.
- What it does not show
- The count of 16 words comes from IBM's own description. Sources differ on the exact year the device debuted.