a Jacquard forest

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Jacquard loom detail - Choutappal, Andhra Pradesh

Jacquard draw strings

The 'punch cards' in last month's photo control these vertical, 'harness' strings. According to the planned pattern, these strings pull the warp (long-ways) threads on the loom up, and thus create intricate woven patterns. On our travels around south India with 'Silk & Spice' we visit many weavers using Jacquard looms.

The Jacquard loom is important in the history of computing. It was the first machine to use punch cards to control a mechanical process. In the 1820's Charles Babbage, the 'father of computing' used similar cards to control his 'Analytical engine' - the first step towards mondern computers.

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Our next tour to South India is in 2010. Despite what you think, that's not so far away. If you wish for an informed and intimate experience of the culture of this region, check the page:

 Silk & Spice - South India  Feb - Mar 2010

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revision 07apl07
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