Inca Khipu Khipus like these (left) were used by communities and by Inca imperial officials to store and communicate data. The dyes, weaves, and knots made by their users recorded data much like contemporary binary computer storage, allowing users (right) to read information about populations, production, and tribute. (khipu: The Granger Collection, NYC — All rights reserved; illustration: from Historia y Genealogia Real de los Reyes Incas del Peru, de sus hechos, constumbres, trajes y manera de Gobierno, known as the Codice Murua [vellum], 16th century/Private Collection/The Bridgeman Art Library)