Before the internet revolutionized scientific communication, scientists relied on a surprising method for sharing discoveries: punched cards. These cards, reminiscent of early computer programming, held data encoded in rows of punched holes.

Scientists would meticulously punch information about their research findings onto these cards. These cards then acted as tiny, physical messengers, traveling through a network akin to a giant scientific mail system.

Researchers would send their punched cards to colleagues around the world. Receiving scientists would then read the data encoded on the cards, advancing scientific knowledge one hole at a time.

This ingenious system, though cumbersome compared to today’s instant digital communication, paved the way for modern data sharing and collaboration.

Prompt:
Before the internet, scientists communicated groundbreaking discoveries through a unique method involving punched cards. What was this method, and how did it shape the world of scientific collaboration?