Context: Initially PCBs were designed manually by creating a photomask on a clear mylar sheet, usually at two or four times the true size. Starting from the schematic diagram the component pin pads were laid out on the mylar and then traces were routed to connect the pads. Rub-on dry transfers of common component footprints increased efficiency. Traces were made with self-adhesive tape. Pre-printed non-reproducing grids on the mylar assisted in layout. To fabricate the board, the finished photomask was photolithographically reproduced onto a photoresist coating on the blank copper-clad boards.

Question: What did PCB designers used to employ on a mylar sheet?
Answer: photomask

Question: In the old PCB design method, what was used to connect component pin pads?
Answer: traces

Question: What were traces originally made out of?
Answer: self-adhesive tape

Question: Designers would rub on a dry transfer of what to make the process of laying out components simpler?
Answer: common component footprints

Question: What kind of metal coated the blank boards used to make PCBs?
Answer: copper

Question: Initially PCBs were designed mechanically how?
Answer: Unanswerable

Question: Pin pads were laid out on the nylon and then what?
Answer: Unanswerable

Question: Self-adhesive mylar was used to make what?
Answer: Unanswerable

Question: Pre-printed reproducing grids on the mylar assisted in what?
Answer: Unanswerable

Question: Printed copper-clad boards were used to make what?
Answer: Unanswerable