Long before they powered early computers, punch cards were revolutionary tools in the textile industry. In the 18th and 19th centuries, inventors like Joseph Marie Jacquard developed punch cards to automate weaving patterns on looms.

These cards, perforated with holes in specific arrangements, instructed the loom on which threads to raise and lower, creating intricate designs. A machine would read the pattern of holes and move the looms accordingly, effectively programming the weaving process.

This innovation drastically reduced the time and labor required for complex textile production, making mass production of patterned fabrics possible. Punch cards’ success in automating looms paved the way for their later use in calculating machines and ultimately, the computers we know today.

Prompt:
Think of a technology or scientific concept that’s often overlooked. Now, uncover a surprising fact about its history, development, or practical application that most people wouldn’t know.