In essence, “digital” refers to something with a finite number of states. This contrasts with “analog,” which has an infinite number of states. For example, a light switch has two states—on or off—and is therefore digital. However, a dimmer switch’s dial can theoretically occupy an infinite number of positions along its circular path. Because of this infinite potential, dimmer switches are considered analog. Relating this to my previous post (which can be found here), would you consider a loom to be digital or analog?

Arguably, the most significant component of the Jacquard loom is the set of punch cards pictured above. These cards essentially store instructions, or code, that tell the machine what to do. Each hole in the cards corresponds to a warp string, which is lifted to allow the weft thread to pass through. Where there are no holes, the warp string remains down, allowing the weft thread to pass over it, thus forming a pattern.

This pattern is typically derived from drawings. So, in essence, the information contained in the drawings is transferred onto the cards and, ultimately, into the fabric. All three—the drawings, the cards, and the fabric—contain the same information, but in different mediums. The process of storing information on these cards, which dictates the machine’s actions, revolutionized computing and the concept of programming as a whole