Program control of a machine
concept · 1725 · Early modern era
A machine’s sequence of actions is set by a replaceable medium — punched tape, punched cards, a program in memory.
Authors: Herman Hollerith, Charles Babbage.
Principles and materials it uses
- Algorithm — uses. A program is a written algorithm.
Where it is used
- Bouchon’s loom — is used in. A perforated tape set which threads to raise.
- Jacquard loom — is used in. The chain of cards is the program of the pattern.
- Babbage’s Analytical Engine — is used in. The first concept of a general-purpose machine controlled by a program.
- Computer — is used in. A computer executes a stored program.
- CNC machine — is used in. The tool’s movement is set by a program — at first on punched tape.
- Industrial robot — is used in. The movements are recorded in a program.
- Automaton — is used in. The sequence of movements is “recorded” in cams and cylinders.
- Pinned cylinder — is used in. The cylinder is a replaceable carrier of a sequence of actions.
- Zuse Z3 — is used in. The program was on punched cinema film.
- 3D printer — is used in. The layers are set by a program (G-code), as with CNC.
- Player piano — is used in. The tune is recorded on a perforated roll.