What do looms, Linux, and open-source communities have in common? More than you might think. This talk uncovers the surprising computational depth of textiles where patterns function like algorithms, fabrics behave like data structures, and some of the earliest programmable machines were built.
We’ll look at weaving through the lens of binary logic, examine knitting as a topological system, and trace the lineage from Jacquard punch cards to modern computing. Along the way, we’ll explore how centuries-old craft traditions mirrored open-source values: shared pattern libraries, collaborative improvement, hackable tools, and a strong culture of repair.
Attendees will leave with a new understanding of how deeply computation is rooted in craft and why the cultural values of repairability, transparency, and user modification link weavers and open-source developers across centuries. If you’ve ever wanted to see computation from a completely different angle, this talk will change how you think about both craft and code.
