Editing Algorithm (section)

==== Electromechanical relay ====
Bell and Newell (1971) write that the [[Jacquard loom]], a precursor to [[Hollerith card]]s (punch cards), and "telephone switching technologies" led to the development of the first computers.<ref>Bell and Newell diagram 1971:39, cf. Davis 2000</ref> By the mid-19th century, the [[telegraph]], the precursor of the telephone, was in use throughout the world. By the late 19th century, the [[ticker tape]] ({{circa|1870s}}) was in use, as were Hollerith cards (c. 1890). Then came the [[teleprinter]] ({{circa|1910|lk=no}}) with its punched-paper use of [[Baudot code]] on tape.

Telephone-switching networks of [[relays|electromechanical relays]] were invented in 1835. These led to the invention of the digital adding device by [[George Stibitz]] in 1937. While working in Bell Laboratories, he observed the "burdensome" use of mechanical calculators with gears. "He went home one evening in 1937 intending to test his idea... When the tinkering was over, Stibitz had constructed a binary adding device".<ref>Melina Hill, Valley News Correspondent, ''A Tinkerer Gets a Place in History'', Valley News West Lebanon NH, Thursday, March 31, 1983, p. 13.</ref><ref>Davis 2000:14</ref>