Looms in the past were frames where the threads were separated in a sequence to make a pattern, and then a thread was passed through it. A way was found to separate the threads semiautomatically rather than manually, using perforated paper tape and needles, and later it moved to more durable punchcards. This was fully automated with an easy way to use it in 1801. This inspired an English mathematician, Charles Babbage, to make a clock-like machine with punchcards as the input. This was called the Difference Engine, and it was the worlds' first computer, and it didn't even use electricity.
https://ritaroyd.co.uk/weaving-fabric-history/looms-textiles/history-automated-loom