Well, Charles Babbage invented the first mechanical computer…
It wasn\’t actually constructed into 1991, but still the plans were from 1871…
Punch cards are from 1725 (Basile Bouchon & Jean-Baptiste Falcon), but here\’s proof of a thumb drive from that era…

Okay, maybe proof is too strong of a word, but still… It\’s a neat idea.. A \”thumb drive\” for punch cards…
From Girl Genius! http://www.girlgeniusonline.com/gallery/cosplay.php