Tufts University: 175 Years of Innovation

Innovations in Digital Design: Janice Lourie, J57, revolutionized textile manufacturing with IBM’s first software patent for an automated computer-driven loom. Textile manufacturing was an early inspiration for modern computer technology; tools such as the Jacquard Loom used punched cards to “program” the raising and lowering of threads, allowing for the fabrication of complex weaves and patterns drawn by hand on graph paper. Lourie took this connection further, developing electronic drawing boards which corresponded to the output of the automated loom. Lourie describes her invention as “essentially what we call an app today,” and was enthused by how the program could promote greater artistic and creative involvement in textile design.