[Keith Seymore]

I think you guys are on the right track; just a couple nuances I would add:

A) The build sheets and broadcast sheets were not published at different times during the build process. All of the information was input before the beginning of the build and then disseminated ("broadcast") through the plant at the same time. Some individual operators responded to the paperwork hanging on the vehicle; other specific assemblers received a packet of information called a "manifest" at the beginning of each shift

B). That's why the various sheets look different. The information needed on the chassis line would be different then the information that's needed in the body weld shop which would be different then the information needed to build an individual seat. The information presented was tailored to the specific end user.

C). All of the paperwork was intended to be thrown away at the end of the line along with coffee cups, extra fasteners, lunch wrappers, etc. None of it was intended to be hidden away as a boon to future historians.

D). We've known how to read the Pontiac billing history punchcards for sometime now using the same rationale as described in this thread. The punches allow the computer to read the same information that we see printed with ink.

K