being electromechanical, it's full of a lot of relays, steppers, and other such mechanisms.
the schematic is a classic example of "ladder logic." the sides of the ladder are the power rails (in this case, 24VAC) and the "rungs" are individual control circuits, typically a relay coil on the left and a set of contacts on the right that, when properly engaged, turn on that relay.
@tubetime Around the turn of the century/millennium, "ladder logic language" was the usual form of programming tool provided by PLC manufacturers. Inputs on one side, outputs on the other.