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