IBM

Outline

Founding of IBM

• June 16, 1911 was the founding of Computing-Tabulating-Recording Company 
• This company was the result of three manufacturing outfits merging
• Credit for initiating the merger is given to Charles Flint, a financier
• The CTR Company would eventually evolve into the IBM we know today
• The company's founding is attributed to Thomas Watson and Charles Flint

Thomas J. Watson

• Thomas J. Watson was born on February 17, 1874 in Campbell, NY
• He lived to be 82 years old
• Watson was the CEO and chairman of IBM from 1914 - 1956
• He was hailed as the world's greatest salesman when he died in 1956
• Watson was hired in 1914 and doubled the company's revenues in just 4 years

cont'd

• In 1924, Watson renamed the company IBM (International Business Machines)
• In 1952, over 90% of all tabulating machines in the US came from IBM
• The federal government filed an antitrust suit against the company  
• IBM's revenues were $897 million when Watson died
• Watson started with 1300 employees and ended with 72500

Charles Flint

• Charles Flint was born on January 24, 1850 in Thomaston, ME
• He lived to be 84 years old
• In 1871 he got into the shipping business
• He was a partner with Gilchrest, Flint & Co.
• He was