BabbageHAND WEAVING

Computers & Looms

Did you know that the loom and the computer are related? In 1740 Jacques de Vaucanson designed the first usable automated draw loom. The control system he employed in his design was a metal cylinder with studs, similar to the cylinders used for player pianos.
Later in 1801, Joseph-Marie Jacquard further developed this idea and simplified the automatic loom through a system of perforated cards.

His father was a weaver, and his invention simplified complex treadling sequences. His Jacquard loom became the precursor to the computer. The holes in the cards controlled which shed rose in a particular pattern sequence – similar to the system of punch cards in early computers.

With the invention of the automated Jacquard loom, came the threat of unemployment. The silk weavers threatened Jacquard with death, and his looms were sold as junk.

In the early 1800’s Charles Babbage invented a steam driven machine to calculate numbers.

Charles Babbage’s Difference Engine

Science Museum
London England

The idea to use punch cards for information input into his analytical machine (which was his ‘second generation calculating machine after the difference engine) was Babbage’s, being inspired by Jacquard’s loom design. Babbage actually visited the silk weaving studions in Lyon to see the Jacquard looms in action.

Jacquard Loom

Jacquard Loom


Ada Lovelace was a publicizer of Babbage’s ideas and designs about automated computation. IBM was born from the tabulator (sorting information recorded on punched cards) designed by Hollerith to deal with data collected for the 1890 US census. He was an ingenious engineer, but not a good salesman, so in comes Thomas Watson and Charles Flint (a super salesman and an archetypal capitalist) and the birth of IBM in the early 1920’s.
The punch cards were replaced by microprocessors and here we are now, connecting via the Net. Whether we working at our looms, designing our drafts in the latest weaving software or are surfing on the internet, it seems that the two are connected.

Many thanks to Anneliese Recklies for editing and providing additional information regarding this article.

Jacquard’s Web: How a Hand-Loom Led to the Birth of the Information Age

More about Computers and Weaving
Mechanical Aids to Computation and the Development of Algorithms
The textile industry was the motivating force for the development of modern day computing or data storage.

Computer: Looking back
J.A.N. Lee’s column in Computer, relates the development of the Jacquard loom to IBM’s mechanical card-processing machines.

Introduction to Programming
Hand weavers, realized the cards possessed a value separate from the machine. The cards contained the pattern for the cloth, instructions for the machine and were the first examples of what we would call a program.

The Jacquard Loom
Although weaving is an intricate and delicate task, it is also repetitive. Joseph Jacquard automated the patterning through his system of punch cards.

Math & Weaving
Jacquard Looms

Rigid Heddle Weaving Books
The Weaver’s Idea Book: Creative Cloth on a Rigid Heddle Loom
Handwoven Home: Weaving Techniques, Tips, and Projects for the Rigid-Heddle Loom
Color & Texture for the Rigid Heddle Loom: A Study in Yarn Selection for Weavers
Weaving Made Easy Revised and Updated: 17 Projects Using a Rigid-Heddle Loom
Weave•Knit•Wear: Simply Fabulous Clothing and Accessories for Rigid Heddle (and Other) Weavers

AFFILIATE LINKS
As an Affiliate (Influencer)
I earn income (pennies) from qualifying purchases.
Thank you for your support.

SHOPPING: EBay.com
EBay Used Weaving Looms
EBay Used Spinning Wheels
EBay Wool Roving
EBay Nalbinding
EBay Natural Plant Dyes
EBay Crochet Thread
EBay Knitting Yarns


LOVECRAFTS KNITTING PATTERNS

Christmas Gnome Pattern

LONGTHREAD MEDIA VIDEO

Krokbragd on Inkle Loom

LONGTHREAD MEDIA SUBSCRIPTIONS

HANDWOVEN MAGAZINE
PIECEWORK MAGAZINE
SPINOFF MAGAZINE
LEARN LONGTHREAD MEDIA

PAIVATAR HANDMADE

Paivatar Handmade

Paivatar on YouTube
Visit my YouTube channel for how-to craft videos.

Or Please visit my Channel on Rumble for more how-to videos.
https://rumble.com/Paivatar

LIVE STREAMS - Paivatar Studio
KICK
TWITCH MAKERS&CRAFTING
YOUTUBE