An exhibit at the Louis V. Gerstner Jr. Center for Learning
To Thomas Watson, an ever-curious man who revered education, invention and personal betterment, a library was a sacred space. The room you see here, from its original furniture and rare books to the color of the stain on the woodwork, re-creates his treasured IBM library as it appeared in Manhattan in 1938. Its arched bookshelf has been seen worldwide, having served as the backdrop for Watson’s iconic “THINK” portrait by renowned photographer Yousuf Karsh.
This exhibit sets the stage for the story of Thomas Watson, the creator of business systems and cultural dedication; the educator who championed human potential; and the catalyst whose legacy has served as a launchpad for innovation.
A look behind the glass at the library's vintage furniture and artifacts.
A look behind the glass at the library's vintage furniture and artifacts.
A look behind the glass at the library's vintage furniture and artifacts.
Artifacts
Everything in this exhibit was part of the original library or is original to that era, with few exceptions. It has been meticulously recreated based on original documents from the Corporate Archives, preserving the original books, furniture and layout wherever possible.
On the guest side of the desk sit a copy of Watson’s book, Men-Minutes-Money, and an original copy of the January 1948 edition of THINK magazine, the exact edition visible in the Karsh photo. Next to the chair is an original IBM THINK pad—not the laptop—that was given to employees so they would always have a place to write down an idea, and an IBM #2 pencil, which was used primarily for IBM’s mark-sensing punched-card technology.
This IBM International Type 31 Grandfather style clock’s serial number 452078 indicates that it was manufactured in 1933 in Endicott, New York. It still runs but we’ve decided to freeze time at 10 o’clock. On January 18, 1938, the building was officially opened at 10am for the “public’s inspection,” and festivities lasted until 10pm.
This comb-back writing desk chair in the Windsor style hails from the library's 1938 inception. The "antique" form of a writing armchair, or adult student chair, is the forerunner to the ubiquitous modern form of molded-plastic chair-desks.
The globe was presented to Watson by the American Society of Sales Executives on May 3, 1951. At the time of the 1938 dedication of 590 Madison Avenue, IBM was operating in 79 different countries around the world.
A lithograph print, “New York. Taken from the North west angle of Fort Columbus, Governor's Island” by Henry A. Papprill, After Frederick Catherwood, hangs above the fireplace. It was displayed in the original library after the 1970s remodel, perhaps as a nod to IBM’s New York roots and longstanding commitment to hiring veterans—as far back as World War I.
Books
In honor of Watson’s 40th year leading the company, IBM offices around the world sent books, indigenous and meaningful to their country. Some date back centuries, such as a 1526 edition of Dante’s Divine Comedy, a gift of the IBM Italy organization.
Comedia Del Divina Poeta Danthe (Dante Alighieri, 1536)
El lngenioso Hidalgo Don Quijote de la Mancha, vol 1 - 4 (Don Miguel de Cervantes Saavedra, 1780)
Shiriramacharijamanasa, Mahabharata-Bhasha, Shrimadbhagavadgita (Saint Valmiki, Veda Vyas, Veda Vyas, 1950-1952)
La Catedral de Mexico y el Sagrario Metropolitano (Manuel Toussaint, 1948)
Elogio de Quito (Ernesto La Orden Miracle, 1950)
Bunsho Monogatari, Hon Ami Koetsu, and Saikaku Oridome (Hishikawa Moronobu, Hon Ami Koetsu, and Ihara Saikaku, c1600s)
The Creator
How do you turn a time clock into a hard drive? Follow IBM’s trajectory during Thomas Watson’s tenure. Watson helped redefine corporate culture and management and their role in society at large, as well as beyond borders—adopting the credo “World Peace Through World Trade.” Research and development grew into the renowned IBM Research laboratory, which would eventually see the company into the age of quantum computers and artificial intelligence. That’s the well-known public face of his leadership.
Equally important: his guiding principle that prioritized the respect, nurturing and education of employees. With this north star, IBM grew and prospered (even becoming one of the rare business success stories of the Great Depression era), increasing revenues a hundredfold by his retirement.
Always thinking of the future, Watson laid out his vision of company beliefs and paths to growth in meetings such as these 1916 and 1954 sales events. His book, Men-Minutes-Money, excerpts his writings from 1915–1933, such as this 1926 remark: “They say a man is known by the company he keeps. We say in our business that a company is known by the men it keeps.”
Always thinking of the future, Watson laid out his vision of company beliefs and paths to growth in meetings such as these 1916 and 1954 sales events. His book, Men-Minutes-Money, excerpts his writings from 1915–1933, such as this 1926 remark: “They say a man is known by the company he keeps. We say in our business that a company is known by the men it keeps.”
Always thinking of the future, Watson laid out his vision of company beliefs and paths to growth in meetings such as these 1916 and 1954 sales events. His book, Men-Minutes-Money, excerpts his writings from 1915–1933, such as this 1926 remark: “They say a man is known by the company he keeps. We say in our business that a company is known by the men it keeps.”
The Educator
A farmboy who never attended college grew up to run one of the largest, most successful enterprises in the world with these words to live by: “There is always more to learn and discover.”
Before being renamed to International Business Machines, the Computing-Tabulating-Recording Company (C-T-R) was already hearing Watson’s education theories that would carry through to the next century: success in any role is contingent on the desire to develop and learn. Training for the workforce advanced and expanded to include coursework to launch women on a professional career path; trade skills and general instruction; classes for employees’ families; and, eventually, a tuition-refund program and education centers around the world.
Watson made education a priority for all staff. The first graduating class of Systems Service women, shown here under the IBM Schoolhouse’s THINK signage in 1935, was trained to operate IBM equipment to help analyze customer needs, develop system solutions and teach clients how to use the machines. The World War II generation benefitted from an expansion of the curriculum beyond job training with “Education for Victory” offerings.
Watson made education a priority for all staff. The first graduating class of Systems Service women, shown here under the IBM Schoolhouse’s THINK signage in 1935, was trained to operate IBM equipment to help analyze customer needs, develop system solutions and teach clients how to use the machines. The World War II generation benefitted from an expansion of the curriculum beyond job training with “Education for Victory” offerings.
Watson made education a priority for all staff. The first graduating class of Systems Service women, shown here under the IBM Schoolhouse’s THINK signage in 1935, was trained to operate IBM equipment to help analyze customer needs, develop system solutions and teach clients how to use the machines. The World War II generation benefitted from an expansion of the curriculum beyond job training with “Education for Victory” offerings.
Watson cherished his special relationship with Helen Keller, evidenced by her warm, lyrical letter of thanks over his condolences for the loss of her teacher and friend Annie Sullivan. Years later in 1952, she would thank him again by presenting the Miguel Metal Award for IBM’s championing the hiring of blind people and assistive technologies such as a handheld Banks Pocket Braille Writer.
Watson cherished his special relationship with Helen Keller, evidenced by her warm, lyrical letter of thanks over his condolences for the loss of her teacher and friend Annie Sullivan. Years later in 1952, she would thank him again by presenting the Miguel Medal Award for IBM’s championing the hiring of blind people and assistive technologies such as a handheld Banks Pocket Braille Writer.
Watson cherished his special relationship with Helen Keller, evidenced by her warm, lyrical letter of thanks over his condolences for the loss of her teacher and friend Annie Sullivan. Years later in 1952, she would thank him again by presenting the Miguel Medal Award for IBM’s championing the hiring of blind people and assistive technologies such as a handheld Banks Pocket Braille Writer.
The Catalyst
Thomas Watson: Not afraid to take risks. A knack for seeing potential in people and ideas. Belief that promoting equality, arts and academia made good business sense. With an eye to the future, he embraced automation, mechanization and data-recording trends to meet the growing need across society for better ways to collect and manage information.
He had strong ideas about how to build a company, and an equally strong vision about improving society. His longtime connection between these two responsibilities would benefit many initiatives through IBM’s financial and technical support. To this day, IBMers are encouraged to follow this example in their own lives.
As Watson’s time at IBM drew to a close, he had the good fortune to have natural successor. His namesake, Thomas Watson Jr., had grown up immersed in IBM but had lived a life apart in the military. This welcome letter hints at the future under another Watson who would also vastly increase the company’s fortunes and champion society alongside business in a completely new world.
As Watson’s time at IBM drew to a close, he had the good fortune of a natural successor. His namesake, Thomas Watson Jr., had grown up immersed in IBM but had lived a life apart in the military. This welcome letter hints at the future under another Watson who would also vastly increase the company’s fortunes and champion society alongside business in a completely new world.
Watson not only gave IBM its name, he defined its motto more than a century ago. Over the years, we’ve seen THINK on paper notepads and notebook computers, translated into multiple languages on posters and magazine titles, and setting the tone for international events. Now a mantra, THINK was IBM’s first US trademark, filed in 1935.
By Thomas J. Watson’s definition, THINK is more than an act of cogitation. It’s meant as a contemplation, to encourage creativity and inspire excellence. It’s part of a process, outlined on the Five Steps to Knowledge at the original Endicott Schoolhouse: Read, Listen, Discuss, Observe and Think about all you’ve taken in. Then go forth and do great things.
The Five Steps to Knowledge rose to a lobby inscribed with a quotation from "Men-Minutes-Money".