Thomas J. Watson

Thomas J. Watson, Sr. (February 17, 1874 – June 19, 1956) is considered to be the founder of International Business Machines (IBM). He was one of the richest men of his time and called the world's greatest salesman when he died.

Early life and career

Watson was born in Campbell, New York. His formal education consisted of only a course in the Elmira School of Commerce. His first job was at age 18 as a bookkeeper in Clarence Risley's Market in Painted Post, New York. Later he sold sewing machines and musical instruments before joining the National Cash Register Company (NCR) as a salesman in Buffalo. He eventually worked his way up to general sales manager. Bent on inspiring the dispirited NCR sales force, Watson introduced the motto, "THINK," which later became a widely known symbol of IBM.

Related Topics:
Campbell, New York - Painted Post, New York - National Cash Register Company

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While at NCR, he was convicted for illegal anti-competitive sales practices (e.g. he used to have people sell deliberately faulty cash registers, either second-hand NCR or from competitors; soon after the second-hand NCR or competitors cash register failed, an NCR salesperson would arrive to sell them a brand new NCR cash register). He was sentenced, along with John H. Patterson (the owner of NCR), to one year of imprisonment. Their conviction was unpopular with the public, due to the efforts of Patterson and Watson to help those affected by the 1913 Dayton, Ohio floods, but efforts to have them pardoned by President Woodrow Wilson were unsuccessful. However, the Court of Appeals overturned the conviction on appeal in 1915, on the grounds that important defense evidence should have been admitted.

Related Topics:
John H. Patterson - Dayton, Ohio - Woodrow Wilson

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Watson married Jeanette M. Kittredge on April 17, 1913. The couple had two sons and two daughters. Both sons followed him into the family business, rising to top executive positions at IBM. The older son, Thomas J. Watson, Jr., became head of IBM shortly before his father's death. The younger son, Arthur K. Watson, served as president of IBM World Trade Corp., the company's international operations.

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