Nichole Misako Nomura discusses the importance of preserving punch cards as an essential aspect of digital age culture. While punch cards are often seen as relics of the past, they are still used in knitting machines today. These cards hold a historical significance as the first form of code, utilized in the Jacquard loom to create complex fabric patterns. Modern technological advancements, such as computer-controlled cutting devices, have made it easier to digitize and preserve punch card patterns. Despite challenges in converting these patterns into digital formats, efforts are being made to maintain and share this unique computing history with the wider community.
https://blog.archive.org/2025/02/12/vanishing-culture-punch-card-knitting/