Nick Gessler wrote:
>
> Hi,
>
> OK, I'm after the really old stuff. The card deck for the Jacquard Loom
> inspired Babbage to use it as a programming device and is the precursor of
> the Hollerith card.
Indeed it is, but it is a little incorrect to speak of a "Jacquard loom"
since the automatic shedding mechanism known as the "Jacquard machine"
may be mounted on any loom. and is distinct from it. As a handweaver of
27 years standing, I just *had* to throw that in :-).
As far as finding a working (or even non-working) Jacquard machine and
cards, your best bet is probably England, where the semi-automatic
weaving tradition is still alive in places like Bethnal Green. Peter
Collingwood or his son <peter_at_plysplit.demon.co.uk> may be able to point
you in the right direction overseas, and here in the US, Bill Koepp
<bgkoe_at_ncinternet.net> may be of help.
Unfortunately, many of these older weaving devices are long, long gone
and even the presently operating mills don't even remember them. I
remember talking with a man who graduated from the textile department of
NC State back in the sixties, where the students amused themselves by
throwing old mechanisms like the Jacquard out third story windows!
Kirk Scott
ks_at_coastalnet.com
Received on Sun Jun 03 2001 - 00:28:39 BST