Demonstration model of the principle of the Jacquard mechanism.

UNITED KINGDOM - APRIL 13: Demonstration model of the principle of the Jacquard mechanism, c 1960s. The Jacquard loom, invented by Joseph Marie Jacquard (1752-1834), using a punched card system for detail weaving. This machine meant that the weaver controlled all the motions of the loom without the need of a draw boy. The Jacquard divides the warp at each pick so that the weft goes over or under the warp threads according to the pattern being woven. The pattern is first drawn on squared paper and this drawing is used to prepare punched cards which determine which warp threads are raised. The punched card system of the Babbage Analytical Engines derived from a loom of this kind. (Photo by SSPL/Getty Images)