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He Recognized in All Men, His Brothers.

J. C. Penney, Watson Homestead Dedication, 1957

The Forgotten Stories about Thomas J. Watson Sr.

Published August 3, 2021
Updated January 25, 2023
A slide of Thomas J. Watson Sr.'s Forgotten Stories: The Golden Rule, We Are All Assistants, We Forgive Thoughtful Mistakes, Human Relations, Education and Human Relations.
The Forgotten Stories of Thomas J. Watson Sr.
  • ​Some Stories about Watson Sr. Are Very, Very Eloquent . . . but Silly
  • The Story of Watson's "Democracy in Business"
  • The Story of Why Watson Sr. Wanted Blue Suits, White Shirts and Ties

 Some Stories about Watson Sr. Are Very, Very Eloquent . . . but Silly
Thomas J. Watson Sr., the traditional founder of IBM in 1914, has been the subject of many books. William Rodgers in THINK wrote the following:
To Watson, men yielded up their right to be different, to question the system that embraced them, engulfed them, rounded off the outlines of their diversity until they became nearly identical reflections in a corporate mirror.

They were semi-citizens; by their own consent, they submerged their individuality in a collective society that, in disbursing the reward of collective effort, altered the meaning of freedom.
This passage makes Watson Sr. sound like a socialist!

​Eloquent, but so very, very silly.
Picture of Thomas J. Watson Sr., traditional founder of IBM.
 The Story of Watson's "Democracy in Business"
​​Most any IBMer of any generation would read what Mr. Rodgers wrote in his book THINK about Tom Watson and disagree. What appeared alike on the outside in a blue suit, white shirt and tie was still very unique and individual on the inside.

​Such is the nature of a corporation comprised of independent thinking men and women that believed "asking forgiveness is easier than asking permission."
​
The word THINK is one of the most decentralizing and empowering words in the English language and Watson Sr. usually followed it with the word ACT. He did not tell people what to THINK unless it was in conflict with some of his most valued and deeply held beliefs such as "Democracy in Business," "We Are All Assistants" or "We Forgive Thoughtful Mistakes."

​But if you did not agree with these values, he just told you that IBM was not a place for you.

This is what Watson told a class of young IBM salesman in 1929.
Sidebar that describes Ben D. Wood's first meeting with Thomas J. Watson Sr.
Why do some authors paint Tom Watson as aloof and unapproachable? My research indicates otherwise.
The businesses today that follow along the lines of democracy are moving faster and making greater progress than the ones in which some men still say, “Well I have had better educational advantages than that man,” or, “I have had better home surroundings than he has had; I am in a little different class and I am not going to associate with him.”

​There is no place for such men or such thoughts in The IBM organization.

You all look alike to us.
Thomas J. Watson Sr., "Democracy in Business​"
This was the "alikeness" that he wanted in his employees when they looked in their IBM corporate mirror. He commented in 1932, "I am not telling you what to think about. We do not include it in our motto." No he did not; he just asked the elitists and bigots to work somewhere else. They should find a place where elitism and prejudice were allowed, and respect for the individual, service to the customer, or the pursuit of excellence were not expected. As a leader that was his right—and his duty— to enforce.

William Rodgers got it wrong. Watson Sr. knew what he wanted. He knew what he needed. He carried the ultimate responsibility for the success or failure of his corporation; and the employment of thousands depended on his decisions. He knew that a corporation comprised of thousands of employees with crushed spirits could not last forever.

So he created the world's first corporate employee-owners—our reflection on the outside was conservative but on the inside we were Watsons' Wild Ducks.
 The Story of Why Watson Sr. Wanted Blue Suits, White Shirts and Ties
​Probably the best description of why Watson Sr. asked all of his employees to dress impeccably was presented in this statement given in eulogy at his death:
The truth came to him simply—he believed clothes don’t make the man but they assist the gentleman.
​Rev. Dr. Paul Austin Wolfe, Brick Presbyterian Church minister
These are stories to help balance a person's perspective on the man, Thomas J. Watson Sr. and his wife. It would be hard to separate the two. ​They were a supreme balancing act, and his wife was constantly at his side.
 A Few Perspectives on Mrs. Jeanette Kittredge Watson (Mrs. Thomas J. Watson Sr.)
Picture of Mrs. Thomas J. Watson Sr. (Jeanette K. KIttredge): The First Lady of IBM.
Mrs. Jeanette Kittredge Watson (Mrs. Thomas J. Watson Sr.) was known as "The First Lady of IBM."
​I am sure that Jeanette Watson fought for balance when it was needed, because her husband said of her, "Mrs. Watson has always been my chief adviser and counsel in my business, in my spiritual, and in my international affairs."
Ruth Leach Amonette in Among Equals offered the insight in the sidebar into Mrs. Watson.
Sidebar image of Ruth Leach Amonette's description of Mrs. Thomas J. Watson Sr. (Jeanette Kittredge)
The following was spoken of her by Father Toomey at a tribute dinner in her honor as covered in The Binghamton Press on April 10, 1948.
​“Affectionate, amiable and thoroughly personable, Mrs. Watson possesses the finest and most admirable traits of womanhood.
"Her sympathetic understanding, and solicitude for the welfare of others is symbolic of her truly generous nature. … Her heart is a purse from which many receive the fine gold coins of kindness. …
“For more than 30 years Mrs. Watson has shared the deep interest of her husband in his business life and has stood strong at his side. Inspiring, modest, neighborly and unpretentious, hers is a life that affords a shining example worthy of emulation. Truly a genuine fine lady.”
Mrs. Watson was the person who, after World War II, suggested that the corporation consider attaching a remote control keyboard to the IBM Electric Typewriter so that the physically handicapped veterans coming back from war would have a means of communication and a possible livelihood [see image].
Cheers,
Picture of IBM Electric Typewriter with Remote Control Keyboard circa 1948.
- Peter E.
 The Forgotten Stories of Thomas J. Watson Sr.
The links below are provided as a convenience to browse samples of information available on Thomas J. Watson Sr. There are many, many more informative webpages on this site about IBM's traditional founder. Utilize the menus above to find further information not linked to here. Select the menu items: "20th Century IBM" -> "Thomas J. Watson Sr." ->

​Enjoy the information. Even after more than a decade, it still feels like we are just getting started.
 Articles About and By Thomas J. Watson Sr.
Tom Watson on "The Cost of War"
Pick your country and if it isn't China, India, Indonesia, Brazil, Pakistan, Nigeria or the United States, World War I would have killed, wounded or maimed every person within the population. In most cases it would have destroyed even today's nations in multiples of fives or tens.
A black and white slide with image of World War I and the tagline:
In the United States, more than 1 of every 2 citizens would be dead, wounded or missing. Is it any wonder why Tom Watson worked so hard for peace?

Tom Watson Earned His Paychecks
Thomas J. Watson Sr. in his four decades at IBM faced a total of 10 economic downturns. Of these only four were less than twelve months long. Six—more than any other IBM Chief Executive—were greater than or equal to 12 months in duration. Of these, one was the Great Depression.
A line chart that shows the average number of hours worked and average annual earnings of IBM Endicott employees from 1926 to 1939.
It is unusual to find a corporate document that shows the wage detail that is in the chart at the beginning of this article. Watson Sr. during the Great Depression, increased employment, decreased the hours in a working week, and yet, increased the average annual earnings of his employees.

More articles are available from the menus above: ​"20th Century IBM" -> "Thomas J. Watson Sr." ->
 Stories of Tom Watson and IBM: Pre, Post and During World War II
Tom Watson: uso camp show founder
Bob Hope—more than any other man or woman—is the outward face of the USO Camp Shows; but unknown to most—until the publication of this article—this great entertainer stood upon another great man's shoulders—the shoulders of a businessman. 
Picture of troops at World War II USO Show with tagline:
Tom Watson gave birth, on November 26, 1940, to what would become one of the most well known and respected organizations within the United Service Organizations (USO): The USO Camp Shows.

IBM Machine Records Units (MRUs)
Mobile Machine Records Units (MRUs) were the invention of Lieutenant Arthur K. (Dick) Watson, son of Thomas J. Watson Sr. He proposed housing punch-card machines in army trucks for mobile use in combat zones. It was a unique application of IBM tabulating machines installed in mobile tractor-trailers.
Picture of a mobile Machine Records Unit truck with the tagline: IBM Machine Records Units (MRUs).
These "mobile" units which followed the troops—sometimes under fire—gathered, evaluated, and forwarded intelligence for leaders like Eisenhower and Patton to utilize. This information was a wartime advantage for the Allies.

IBM Endicott Memorial
During World War II, 114 men and one woman from IBM made the supreme sacrifice in the service of their country. ​The image and button are linked to the book handed out at the dedication in Endicott, New York on August 16, 1947. It memorializes the fifty-seven who died from this site.
Picture of the IBM Endicott World War II Memorial with the tagline:
Our thanks to those IBMers that served during World War II but especially to the families that made the ultimate sacrifice for freedom. ​

More articles are available from the menus above: ​"20th Century IBM" -> "Thomas J. Watson Sr." ->
 Slice of Life Stories that Reveal the Heart and Soul of Tom Watson Sr.
Select an Image --->
Salvador Dali
Cy Sulzberger, the head of the N.Y. Times' foreign bureau, started his newspaper career in Pittsburgh in 1934. At a Carnegie art show he saw a painting by a rising artist named Salvador Dali. He bought it.
Picture
In 1938 Sulzberger went abroad as a correspondent. He went broke In Bulgaria and wired the New York art dealer with whom he was storing his painting to sell it and cable the proceeds to him. The sale was made: to Tom Watson Sr.​

Peter F. Drucker
This website provides Peter F. Drucker's insights into management. It then aligns his thoughts with Thomas J. Watson Sr.'s business and management actions and practices.
Slide showing Peter F. Drucker's
This sight positions a "concept" put forward by the great management philosopher of his day and matches it with the "words and practices" of one of America's greatest industrialists: Tom Watson Sr.

George Eastman
George Eastman’s biography, published in March 1930, reflects this humble man’s aversion—not to public speaking—but to public recognition of his business success and philanthropic activities. 
Picture of an elderly man walking into space and time with the tagline:
In April 1930, Tom Watson took over as president of the Genesee Society and "The World's Greatest Salesman" went to work. He wanted this great industrialist to receive the public recognition of his peers that he so richly deserved. ​

J. C. (James Cash) Penney
“Mind your own business” is a phrase we occasionally hear used in an unhappy sense. My good friend Tom Watson, however, really “minded” his business in a happy and profitable way such as few men have done.
Picture of a light house with a description of JC Penney of Thomas J. Watson Sr.
"It is wise to remember, however, that his life’s business went far beyond the limits of the International Business Machines Company."

Confronting Anti-Semitism and Bigotry
​​In January of 1950, America’s press lit up with indignation over a Lafayette College benefactor’s last will and testament. His dying wish was to provide for his alma mater—as long as his benefaction did not provide scholarship money for a Catholic, a Jew, or any first-generation American.
Picture of Thomas J. Watson Sr. and The Lafayette College Paper with headline: Watson Sr. Stands Against Religious Bigotry.
​A total sum of $140,000 brought to the forefront many of the same discussions we are still having six decades later. Tom Watson Sr. was involved in this controversy.


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