One Hundred Years of IBMer Creativity
One Hundred Years of IBM Employee Creativity |
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Published August 10, 2021
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This is a landing page for IBMer creativity. IBMers were always thinking and poking fun at everything around them, but they were unique in that they usually, like Will Rogers, talked about "our" failings and used words like "us" and "we" instead of the accusative "you."
It was a great organization to work in and this is some of its creative thought.
It was a great organization to work in and this is some of its creative thought.
Peter E. Greulich, 2021
A Century of IBM Creativity
These pages reflect an individuality of thought that used to be representative of the IBM brand—THINK. Rarely did these "works of creativity" have the blessing of the IBM Corporation, but they were the products of great genius meant to bring a laugh. IBMers have always prided themselves on their independence of thought and action, and sense of humor.
One IBMer shared with me how he programmed a 6670 (an old network attached copier device) in Boulder, Colorado to randomly pull a phrase from the "IBM Jargon and General Computing Dictionary" to print on the separator, cover pages between print jobs. I have to think that many an old timer have him to thank for starting their day in Colorado with a laugh at the expense of our industry in general and IBM in particular. |
I don't really think the executives minded much then either, as they used to have a sense of humor too. For today's IBM executives—that tend to be movers and shakers—that is a joke. It seems so few of you have a sense of humor nowadays that we have to tell you when we are joking (sorry for using "you" instead of "we" but it does seem more appropriate today).
See definition of "movers and shakers" in the "IBM Jargon and General Computing Dictionary."
See definition of "movers and shakers" in the "IBM Jargon and General Computing Dictionary."
Examples of IBM Employee Creativity
Don't worry about laughing out loud.
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In the evenings, the sound of music and family voices resonated from within our American homes. Maybe, we should sing together at home again - or in church?
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Reproduced with permission from Terry Gliedt via e-mail February 3, 2014. See footnote for further information on copyright and usage of his material.
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Acronyms and abbreviations are not included except where they are necessary for cross-references, or are used as true words in their own right (for example, “APAR”).
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