Even worse, they connected cables.

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Plugboard

For anyone interested. Here’s a video of programming an EEPROM with dip switches and using it to drive a seven segment display.

The guy’s channel also includes how to build a very simple computer using various ICs. If breadboard computers are your kind of thing.

And there was no space or enter.

I bet most people reading your comment will think it’s a joke. 😩 And thanks for bringing back up those nightmares.