The Jacquard loom is a type of weaving machine invented by Joseph Marie Jacquard in 1804. It uses a series of punched cards to control the weaving of complex patterns in fabric. This innovation allowed for the automatic production of intricate designs, making textile manufacturing more efficient. The Jacquard loom revolutionized the textile industry and laid the groundwork for modern computing. By using binary code through the punched cards, it demonstrated how information could be processed mechanically, influencing later technologies, including computer programming and automated machinery.