“The Analytical Engine weaves algebraic patterns, just as the Jacquard loom weaves flowers and leaves.”[1]

In philosophy, techne refers to craft and productive knowledge, and is derived from the Proto-Indo-European root “Teks” meaning to fabricate or weave. “Teks” is also the origin of texere, which lead to textile and text. The latin word for organizing warp threads, ordior, also lead to the French word for computer, ordinateur. Even before textiles inspired the first analytical engine, linguistic origins demonstrate how textiles were synonymous with the first notions of technology.

Today, notions of technology and craft are not interconnected: this project shifts this understanding by emphasizing the connections between computation and weaving. Inspired by the binary matrices of the craft book A Handweaver’s Pattern Book by Marguerite Porter Davison, this C# script allows users to construct 2D and 3D woven fabrics with unique characteristics.

[1] Scheuing, R. (2005). Flowers and Leaves: Constructing Nature. The Capilano Review, 2(46), 29-40.