IBM Ever Onward - A Preview of Revolution

[Recorded: November 19, 2010]
Over its 100 years in business, IBM has been credited with many developments in computer technology and has a long history of success. But it wasn't always so. In 1914 when Thomas Watson Sr. joined what was then known as the 'Computer-Tabulating-Recording Corporation' morale was low and profits flat. But Watson was a strong leader with a modern vision. In a world on the brink of automation, he foresaw the lucrative potential of business machines. He mobilized his employees to share that vision and, together, sell it to the world. This video, from the Computer History Museum's new exhibition: "Revolution: The First 2000 Years of Computing" explores Watson's leadership of IBM and how it has impacted business culture even today.

Opening in January 2011, "Revolution: The First 2000 Years of Computing" will be the first major museum exhibition to trace the history of computers and information technology from the abacus to the Internet. More than 1,000 artifacts from the Museum's vast collection will be on view including rare computers, audio and video, photographs, games and hands-on displays. Updates on the exhibit can be found on Facebook at facebook.com/ComputerHistory, on Twitter @computerhistory and at www.computerhistory.org/exhibits/revolution

Category:

Science & Technology

Tags:

• Computer
• History
• Museum
• Revolution
• Exhibition
• Exhibit
• Internet
• World
• Wide
• Web
• IBM
• Thomas
• Watson
• Punchcards
• International
• Business
• Machine
• technology
• corporate
• strategy

[jtcolfax]

IBM totally CONTROLLED the holocaust and death camps, and all the way to the end. Thomas Watson held onto his decoration from Hitler throughout the entire war until the very end when it was obvious Hitler would be forced out in some way. IBM has never acknowledge what happened in Germany, and the idea that it was the early blurry days just doesn't cut it. They were THERE throughout the whole thing, country after country.

[ewaf88]

Can you still buy sincere ties? Perhaps Bush will sell his?. Great post -

[adamitshelanu]

@katayamma Hamas agrees with your version of history.

[katayamma]

@rawmo - While IBM did business with Germany, at that time the German government wasn't considered to be the "evil" that it is today. It's easy to criticize in hind sight when the people of the day were simply doing business with a major European economic power.

[rawmo]

Didn't they make punch cards to keep track of the jews in the death camps, all the way from train to furnace??

[smzainulabedin]

This video is so lovely!

[xXDominoXx]

I love computer history

[httprover]

Ahhh...those thrilling days of yesteryear?