IBM

International Business Machines Corporation
	File:IBM logo.svg IBM logo
Company type	Public
Industry	Technology
Founded	June 16, 1911; 115 years ago in Endicott, New York, U.S.
Founder	Charles Ranlett Flint (founder of CTR)
Headquarters	Armonk, New York, United States
Area served	Worldwide (over 175 countries)
Products	Mainframe computers, personal computers (historically), IT services, software, supercomputers, AI systems
Website	www.ibm.com

International Business Machines Corporation (IBM), commonly known as Big Blue, is a U.S.-based global technology enterprise with its headquarters situated in Armonk, New York. Operating across more than 175 nations, IBM is publicly listed and forms part of the Dow Jones Industrial Average. The company is distinguished by its vast international presence and substantial market impact. IBM leads the industry in research innovation with 19 laboratories worldwide and maintained the longest streak for holding the highest number of U.S. patents by a corporation, spanning 29 years from 1993 to 2021.

The company was established in 1911 under the name Computing-Tabulating-Recording Company (CTR) and adopted the IBM name in 1924. Initially, it dominated the market for punch-card tabulating machines and became the foremost mainframe computer manufacturer throughout the 1960s and 1970s. Its System/360 platform was central to its strategy, accounting for roughly 80% of computers in the U.S. and 70% globally, addressing a wide array of computing requirements.

IBM ventured into the microcomputer sector in 1981 with the introduction of the IBM Personal Computer, collaborating with Microsoft to provide DOS software, thereby shaping the contemporary PC landscape. The company later achieved success with portable devices such as the ThinkPad. From the 1990s onward, IBM redirected its efforts toward IT services, software development, supercomputing, and scientific research, culminating in selling its PC business to Lenovo in 2005. While its mainframe systems continue to be vital for enterprise-level computing, its supercomputers consistently rank among the most powerful worldwide.

As an innovator in technology, IBM has been responsible for pioneering key inventions including the Automated Teller Machine (ATM), dynamic random-access memory (DRAM), floppy disks, hard disk drives, magnetic stripe cards, relational database technology, SQL language, and UPC barcodes. Presently, IBM is advancing fields such as artificial intelligence, quantum computing, and data infrastructure—areas that drive its growth and maintain its competitive edge. The company’s leadership strategically guides operations to uphold industry prominence while expanding investments in emerging technological sectors.

1910s–1950s

IBM’s foundation can be traced back to late 19th-century technological breakthroughs including Julius E. Pitrap’s computing scale (1885), Alexander Dey’s dial recorder (1888), Herman Hollerith’s Electric Tabulating Machine (1889), and Willard Bundy’s time clock (1889). On June 16, 1911, these enterprises were merged by Charles Ranlett Flint into the Computing-Tabulating-Recording Company (CTR), based in Endicott, New York. At inception, CTR employed approximately 1,300 workers and operated throughout the United States and Canada.

CTR produced a variety of mechanical devices available for sale or lease, ranging from commercial scales to tabulators and punched card equipment. In 1914, Thomas J. Watson, Sr., an experienced business executive formerly with National Cash Register Company (NCR), joined CTR as general manager and soon ascended to President. Leveraging his expertise in sales management from NCR, Watson introduced structured sales practices, attractive incentive programs, a strong focus on customer service, and fostered corporate identity through the motto "THINK." Under his leadership, revenues increased to $9 million within four years while expanding international reach into Europe, South America, Asia, and Australia.

In 1924, Watson renamed CTR to International Business Machines (IBM) to better represent its expanding scope and influence. By 1933, most subsidiary companies were consolidated into a single unified IBM organization.

During the 1930s and World War II era, IBM's German branch Dehomag provided punch card technology essential for Nazi census activities used during the Holocaust. Although this association remains controversial regarding IBM's New York headquarters' involvement during wartime, the corporation also contributed as a military supplier producing M1 Carbine rifles and developing early computational devices.

IBM led advancements in electromechanical computing with projects like the Automatic Sequence Controlled Calculator during WWII and released its first commercial stored-program computer model—the IBM 701—in 1952. The IBM 305 RAMAC debuted in 1956 as the world’s first computer equipped with a hard disk drive. Beginning in 1958 with transistorized models such as the IBM 7000 and 1400 series—the latter often referred to as IBM’s "model T" due to over ten thousand units sold—IBM transitioned from vacuum tube technology.

In a milestone for artificial intelligence development in 1956, Arthur L. Samuel programmed an IBM 704 to learn strategies for playing checkers autonomously. The following year witnessed creation of FORTRAN—the first widely adopted scientific programming language—marking significant progress in commercial computing innovation.

1960s–1980s

In 1961, IBM created the SABRE reservation system for American Airlines and launched the acclaimed Selectric typewriter. That same year, the IBM 7094 was utilized to produce "Daisy Bell," the first song synthesized by a computer.

By 1963, IBM was actively supporting NASA's Project Mercury and, in 1964, moved its corporate headquarters to Armonk, New York. During the late 1960s, IBM played a vital role in space missions such as Gemini, Saturn launches, and the Apollo program by manufacturing essential guidance computers for the Saturn V rocket.

On April 7, 1964, IBM introduced the System/360, marking the first family of computers designed for both commercial and scientific use. This innovation enabled companies to enhance computing capabilities without rewriting their software. The System/370 followed in 1970. These mainframe systems, along with their operating systems (OS/VS1, MVS), dominated the computing landscape through the early 1980s, solidifying IBM's leadership position.

In 1969, the U.S. government accused IBM of antitrust violations related to monopolizing business computer markets. This prompted IBM to separate its software and services from hardware sales, which encouraged a competitive software industry. The Department of Justice eventually dropped the case in 1982.

Also in 1969, IBM engineer Forrest Parry developed the magnetic stripe card technology, which became fundamental for credit cards and access control. In 1974, George J. Laurer of IBM created the Universal Product Code (UPC). By 1981, IBM and the World Bank introduced financial swaps into public markets.

IBM entered the microcomputer arena during the 1980s with the launch of the IBM Personal Computer (IBM 5150), which became one of its top-selling products and helped shape personal computing. However, due to weak intellectual property protections, IBM gradually lost market share to compatible competitors.

In 1985, IBM collaborated with Microsoft to develop the OS/2 operating system. After disagreements arose, Microsoft ended the partnership; IBM continued OS/2 development but ultimately could not surpass Microsoft's Windows by the mid-1990s.

1990s–2000s

Starting in 1991, IBM began restructuring by spinning off various divisions into independent subsidiaries known as "Baby Blues" to improve efficiency and attract outside investment. These included AdStar (data storage), IBM Application Business Systems (mid-range computers), IBM Enterprise Systems (mainframes), Pennant Systems (large printers), and Lexmark (small printers). Lexmark was soon sold to Clayton & Dubilier through a leveraged buyout.

By September 1992, facing steep declines in profit margins due to intense price competition in the PC market, IBM consolidated its non-mainframe personal computer production under the IBM Personal Computer Company (IBM PC Co.). This reorganization was among the largest and most expensive corporate restructurings at that time. By 1993, IBM PC Co. expanded into divisions such as Ambra Computer Corporation (clone PCs) and Power Personal Systems Group (PowerPC-based workstations). The ThinkPad line introduced during this era became a leading notebook brand.

In 1993, IBM recorded an $8 billion loss—the largest ever by a U.S. company at that time—and appointed Lou Gerstner, former CEO of RJR Nabisco, to lead its recovery efforts. In 1995, IBM acquired Lotus Software for over $3.5 billion to strengthen its software offerings. Despite substantial investment, the Workplace OS operating system project was discontinued in 1996.

In 1998, IBM merged its enterprise-focused Personal Systems Group with Global Services' PC consulting division to form a unified IBM Personal Systems Group. By 1999, after losing retail market share to competitors like Compaq and Dell, IBM exited retail PC sales and dissolved IBM PC Co., fully integrating it into Personal Systems Group.

In 2002, IBM enhanced its consulting division by acquiring PwC Consulting for $3.5 billion and incorporating it into IBM Global Services. In 2004, amid unrelated bribery allegations, IBM ended its joint venture with LG in South Korea’s PC market; LG's Xnote laptops originated from this collaboration.

Continuing its strategy of shedding commodity manufacturing operations, IBM sold its personal computer business to Lenovo and acquired analytics software company SPSS Inc. in 2009. That same year, President Barack Obama awarded IBM's Blue Gene supercomputing initiative with the National Medal of Technology and Innovation.

2010s–present

IBM captured worldwide attention in 2011 with its artificial intelligence system Watson, which famously triumphed on the quiz show Jeopardy! against notable champions Ken Jennings and Brad Rutter. That same year, the company celebrated its centennial anniversary. In 2012, IBM enhanced its capabilities by acquiring Kenexa and Texas Memory Systems, and in 2013, it broadened its cloud services through the $2 billion purchase of SoftLayer Technologies. Additionally, IBM developed a video surveillance solution for Davao City during that period.

In 2014, IBM divested its x86 server business to Lenovo for $2.1 billion, shifting focus towards servers based on the Power ISA architecture. The company also established strategic alliances with prominent firms such as Apple, Twitter, Facebook, Tencent, Cisco, Under Armour, Box, Microsoft, VMware, CSC, Macy's, Sesame Workshop, and Salesforce.com to bolster its cloud computing and AI capabilities.

By 2015, IBM had transitioned its semiconductor operations to a fabless model by outsourcing manufacturing to GlobalFoundries. That year featured significant acquisitions including Merge Healthcare for $1 billion, Cleversafe (a data storage provider), and digital assets from The Weather Company such as Weather.com and The Weather Channel app. IBM employees also created A Boy and His Atom, recognized as the first movie made at a molecular scale. In 2016, IBM acquired Ustream, a video conferencing platform, and launched a dedicated cloud video division; however, it reported its lowest quarterly sales in 14 years. Legal challenges arose as well, with patent disputes involving Groupon.

IBM's expansion continued with the $2.6 billion acquisition of Truven Health Analytics in 2016. In October 2018, IBM announced the acquisition of Red Hat for $34 billion to reinforce its hybrid cloud strategy; this transaction was completed in July 2019.

In February 2020, IBM executive John Kelly III joined Microsoft’s Brad Smith in endorsing a Vatican-led pledge advocating for ethical AI deployment. Later that year in October, IBM declared the spin-off of its Managed Infrastructure Services segment into a new publicly traded company named Kyndryl, which comprised 90,000 employees and held a backlog valued at $60 billion. This strategic separation was designed to accelerate IBM’s growth in hybrid cloud services and received positive investor feedback. Martin Schroeter, previously IBM’s CFO, was appointed as Kyndryl’s CEO.

In 2021, IBM acquired Turbonomic, an enterprise software firm, for $1.5 billion. By January 2022, Watson Health was sold to private equity firm Francisco Partners. Following Russia’s invasion of Ukraine in March 2022, CEO Arvind Krishna halted all business activities in Russia and announced plans for an orderly exit by June.

Toward the end of 2022, IBM entered into a partnership with Japanese semiconductor producer Rapidus; this collaboration prompted GlobalFoundries to initiate legal action against IBM in 2023 alleging trade secret infringements. Also in 2023, IBM expanded its data and AI governance portfolio by acquiring Manta Software Inc.

On November 16, 2023, IBM paused advertising on Twitter after its ads were shown alongside content supporting pro-Nazi views.

In August 2023, IBM agreed to sell The Weather Company to Francisco Partners for $1.1 billion; this deal was finalized in February 2024.

In December 2023, IBM revealed plans to acquire Software AG’s StreamSets and webMethods platforms for €2.13 billion ($2.33 billion), further strengthening its enterprise integration solutions.

Business trends

By May 2024, IBM's market value surpassed $153 billion. Although the company experienced a relative downturn compared to other technology firms, it still holds the position of the seventh-largest technology enterprise by revenue and ranks 67th among the top U.S. companies based on revenue. In 2020, IBM was placed 38th on the Fortune 500 list. The firm drew criticism in 2014 for emphasizing financial maneuvers to achieve short-term quarterly earnings goals instead of focusing on sustained long-term investments.

The following table highlights essential financial metrics for IBM, showcasing its business approach and market footprint (amounts in US$ billions):

Year	Revenue (US$ bn)	Net income (US$ bn)	Employees
2014	92.7	12.0	379,592
2015	81.7	13.1	377,757
2016	79.9	11.8	380,300
2017	79.1	5.7	366,600
2018	79.5	8.7	350,600
2019	77.1	9.4	352,600
2020	73.6	5.5	345,900
2021^{[lower-alpha 1]}	57.3	5.7	282,100
2022	60.5	1.6	288,300
2023	61.8	7.5	282,200
2024	62.8	6.0	270,300

These statistics reflect IBM’s strategic realignments in response to market pressures, including changes in workforce size and variations in revenue tied to its shifting product and service mix across international markets.

Board and shareholders

IBM’s board comprises 15 members who supervise corporate governance; it includes current or former chief executives from companies such as Anthem, Dow Chemical, Johnson & Johnson, Royal Dutch Shell, UPS, and Vanguard. Additionally, the board features the president of Cornell University and a retired admiral from the U.S. Navy. As of March 31, 2023, Vanguard Group is IBM’s largest institutional investor with a 15.7% ownership stake.

In 2011, IBM became the first technology firm added to Warren Buffett’s Berkshire Hathaway portfolio through an initial purchase of 64 million shares valued at $10.5 billion. Buffett gradually increased his investment but then reduced his holdings by 94.5% by late 2017 and completely divested from IBM by May 2018.

Headquarters and offices

IBM’s main headquarters is situated in Armonk, New York, approximately 37 miles north of Manhattan. The central headquarters building covers 283,000 square feet on a 25-acre parcel within a broader 432-acre estate acquired during the mid-1950s. Nearby facilities include the North Castle office (previous headquarters) and the Louis V. Gerstner, Jr., Center for Learning—a resort-style training center featuring 182 guest rooms and 31 meeting spaces.

Operating across 174 countries as of 2016, IBM supports smaller markets through mobility centers while maintaining large campuses in key regions. Major U.S.-based sites include Austin (Texas), Research Triangle Park (North Carolina), Rochester (Minnesota), Silicon Valley (California), and multiple New York City locations such as the IBM Watson headquarters at Astor Place.

IBM’s international real estate holdings include landmark properties like Montreal’s 1250 René-Lévesque, Atlanta’s One Atlantic Center, and Beijing’s Pangu Plaza overlooking the Olympic “Bird’s Nest” stadium. The company’s Indian subsidiary is headquartered in Bangalore with additional offices in Chennai, Mumbai, Hyderabad, and Gurgaon.

Other significant locations consist of the IBM Rome Software Lab (Italy), Hursley House (United Kingdom), Cambridge Scientific Center (Massachusetts), Toronto Software Lab (Canada), Watson IoT Headquarters (Munich), as well as facilities in Tokyo and Johannesburg. Former sites include Somers Office Complex (New York) and Spango Valley (Scotland). IBM’s architectural heritage features works by renowned architects such as Marcel Breuer, Eero Saarinen, Ludwig Mies van der Rohe—whose Chicago building received the National Building Museum Honor Award in 1990—and I.M. Pei.

Products

IBM’s diverse product lineup encompasses cloud computing, artificial intelligence, commerce solutions, data analytics, Internet of Things (IoT), IT infrastructure, mobile technology, digital workplace tools, and cybersecurity services.

Mainframe computers

IBM has been a pioneer in mainframe computing since 1954, currently offering the IBM z series. The newest addition to this line, the IBM z17, was introduced in 2024.

Microprocessors

The company launched its Power microprocessor family in 1990, which powers prominent gaming consoles such as the Xbox 360, PlayStation 3, and Nintendo Wii U. IBM’s Secure Blue encryption technology is integrated within these processors. In 2014, IBM revealed TrueNorth, a neuromorphic CMOS chip engineered to emulate brain function with 10 billion neurons and 100 trillion synapses while operating on only 1 kilowatt of power. IBM invested $3 billion over five years to advance this neural chip technology. By 2016, IBM introduced all-flash storage arrays targeted at small and medium enterprises, featuring sophisticated software for data compression and provisioning aimed at competing with EMC and Dell in the storage arena.

Quantum computing

IBM debuted its first commercial quantum computer, the IBM Q System One, in January 2019. Plans to establish Europe’s inaugural quantum computing facility in Ehningen, Germany were announced in March 2020. This center, managed by the Fraunhofer Society, commenced operations in 2024, marking a major milestone in IBM’s expansion of quantum technology worldwide.

Software

Since acquiring SPSS in 2009, IBM has offered one of the leading statistical analysis software packages for social sciences. The acquisition of The Weather Company, which includes weather.com and Weather Underground, enhanced IBM’s capabilities in data analytics and forecasting; however, this subsidiary was divested in 2024.

Cloud services

IBM Cloud delivers an extensive range of services including infrastructure as a service (IaaS), software as a service (SaaS), and platform as a service (PaaS) through public, private, and hybrid cloud models. The IBM Bluemix platform-as-a-service enables rapid development of sophisticated web applications on a pay-as-you-go basis. As of 2011, IBM’s SoftLayer managed hosting and cloud service operated over 81,000 servers serving more than 26,000 clients. Furthermore, IBM provides Cloud Data Encryption Services (ICDES), utilizing cryptographic splitting methods to protect client data.

In May 2022, IBM entered into a multi-year Strategic Collaboration Agreement with Amazon Web Services to make a broad array of IBM software available via AWS Marketplace. This alliance includes joint investments aimed at streamlining access to IBM products and enhancing integration with AWS platforms, supported by developer education programs and focused software development efforts.

Artificial intelligence

IBM Watson is an AI platform that applies natural language processing and machine learning techniques to derive insights from extensive volumes of unstructured data. Debuting in 2011 on Jeopardy!, where it outperformed champions Ken Jennings and Brad Rutter, Watson has since been adopted across business sectors, healthcare institutions, and academia. Collaborations include partnerships with organizations such as Memorial Sloan Kettering Cancer Center to aid oncology treatment planning and melanoma detection. Watson also supports customer service operations by enhancing or replacing call center agents for various enterprises.

IBM provides analytical tools like IBM Cognos Analytics to the New York City Police Department, facilitating visualization of CompStat crime statistics and demonstrating its involvement in public sector data analysis.

In June 2020, IBM withdrew from the facial recognition market; CEO Arvind Krishna emphasized the need for a national conversation regarding its use by law enforcement agencies.

In May 2023, IBM introduced Watsonx, a generative AI toolkit powered by IBM’s proprietary Granite models along with options for other public LLMs. Watsonx supports training and fine-tuning AI models using sensitive data. By May 2024, IBM released Granite models as open-source on Hugging Face, broadening enterprise access to AI development resources. In October 2024, Granite 3.0 was launched—an open-source large language model optimized for corporate applications—underscoring IBM’s dedication to advancing open-source AI innovation.

Consulting

With a global workforce of 160,000 consultants as of 2024, IBM ranks among the world’s top ten consulting firms. Its portfolio encompasses strategy and management consulting, experience design, technology and systems integration, as well as operational services. The consulting division generated revenues of $20 billion in 2024.

Research

Research has been a cornerstone of IBM since its inception, beginning in 1945 with the establishment of the Watson Scientific Computing Laboratory at Columbia University. Presently, IBM Research stands as the largest industrial research entity worldwide, operating 12 laboratories distributed over six continents. The main hub is the Thomas J. Watson Research Center located in New York, complemented by key sites in Almaden (California), Austin (Texas), Melbourne (Australia), São Paulo and Rio de Janeiro (Brazil), Beijing and Shanghai (China), Dublin (Ireland), Haifa (Israel), Delhi and Bangalore (India), Tokyo, Zurich, and Nairobi (Africa).

IBM dedicates several billion dollars annually to research and development; for instance, $6.9 billion was allocated in 2012 alone. Significant strategic investments have included $1 billion to launch the Watson business unit in 2014, $3 billion toward advanced semiconductor technologies, and $4 billion in 2015 focusing on emerging sectors such as cloud computing, analytics, mobile solutions, security, and social media.

As an early advocate of open source, IBM has supported Linux since 1998 and invests heavily through its Linux Technology Center, which comprises over 300 kernel developers. The company has contributed substantial software projects to the open-source community, including the Eclipse framework, International Components for Unicode (ICU), and Apache Derby. Although IBM encountered legal disputes such as SCO v. IBM, it remains a prominent contributor to open-source initiatives.

Among IBM’s notable inventions are the automated teller machine (ATM), Dynamic Random Access Memory (DRAM), electronic keypunch, financial swap instruments, floppy disk, hard disk drive, magnetic stripe card, relational database model, Reduced Instruction Set Computing (RISC) architecture, SABRE airline reservation system, SQL language, Universal Product Code (UPC) barcode, and virtual machine technology. A landmark achievement in nanotechnology occurred in 1990 when IBM scientists arranged individual xenon atoms to form the letters "IBM."

IBM consistently ranks first in patent output; as of 2021, it holds the record for the most patents granted to a single company for 29 years in a row.

Patents

IBM has maintained its position as the leading U.S. patent recipient among corporations for 29 consecutive years by 2021. In 2001, it was the first company to secure over 3,000 patents within a single year and exceeded 4,000 patents by 2008. By 2022, IBM's patent portfolio had grown to roughly 150,000 patents. Despite this dominance in innovation patents, IBM has faced criticism regarding allegations of patent trolling.

Brand and reputation

Commonly referred to as Big Blue, IBM derives this nickname from its blue logo and corporate color palette combined with its traditional attire of white shirts paired with blue suits. The current "8-bar" logo was crafted by graphic designer Paul Rand in 1972 to replace an earlier 13-bar design for enhanced print clarity. For five decades IBM employed Helvetica as its official typeface before transitioning to the custom-designed IBM Plex font family in 2017.

With over one hundred years of history, IBM commands a strong brand presence. Since 1996, it has served as the exclusive technology partner for the Masters Tournament, driving innovations such as launching Masters.org (1996), introducing the first course camera (1998), developing the inaugural iPhone app with live streaming capabilities (2009), and delivering the first live 4K Ultra HD broadcast for a major sporting event in the U.S. (2016). This longstanding collaboration also led to former CEO Ginni Rometty becoming only the third woman appointed to Augusta National Golf Club’s governing board.

IBM sponsors premier tennis tournaments including the U.S. Open, Wimbledon, Australian Open, and French Open. Additionally, it supported the Olympic Games from 1960 through 2000 and partnered with the National Football League between 2003 and 2012. In Japan, IBM fields a professional American football team named "IBM Big Blue" competing in the X-League with a dedicated stadium and televised matches.

Environmental

Back in 2004, IBM faced scrutiny regarding pollution issues at its original site in Endicott, New York. For the year ending December 31, 2020, IBM disclosed total greenhouse gas emissions (both direct and indirect) amounting to 621 kilotons of CO2 equivalent, marking a 34.3% decrease compared to the previous year. In February 2021, the company pledged to reach net zero greenhouse gas emissions by 2030 by prioritizing emission cuts, enhancing energy efficiency, and expanding the use of renewable energy across its operations spanning more than 175 countries.

Tax avoidance

In 2018, IBM was listed among 92 Fortune 500 firms that reported an effective federal tax rate of zero percent or less, a consequence of the Tax Cuts and Jobs Act enacted in 2017.

Employees

IBM ranks among the largest employers worldwide, with a global workforce exceeding 297,900 individuals as of 2022, including around 160,000 professionals specializing in technology consulting.

The company fosters leadership growth through initiatives such as the Extreme Blue internship program and the esteemed IBM Fellow designation, created in 1963 to honor exceptional technical contributions.

Notable current and former employees

A significant number of IBM alumni have risen to prominent leadership roles in business and government. Distinguished figures include Apple CEO Tim Cook, former EDS CEO and political figure Ross Perot, Microsoft chairman John W. Thompson, SAP co-founder Hasso Plattner, Gartner founder Gideon Gartner, AMD CEO Lisa Su, Cadence Design Systems CEO Anirudh Devgan, former Citizens Financial Group CEO Ellen Alemany, ex-Yahoo! chairman Alfred Amoroso, former AT&T CEO C. Michael Armstrong, as well as previous Xerox CEOs David T. Kearns and G. Richard Thoman. Other notable executives are former Fair Isaac CEO Mark N. Greene, Citrix co-founder Ed Iacobucci, ASOS chairman Brian McBride, former Lenovo CEO Steve Ward, and ex-Teradata CEO Kenneth Simonds.

In public service, IBM alumni include Patricia Roberts Harris—the first African American woman Cabinet Secretary; Samuel K. Skinner, who served as U.S. Secretary of Transportation and White House Chief of Staff; U.S. Senators Mack Mattingly and Thom Tillis; Wisconsin Governor Scott Walker; ambassadors Vincent Obsitnik, Arthur K. Watson, Thomas Watson Jr.; alongside several U.S. Representatives.

Other prominent past employees encompass NASA astronaut Michael J. Massimino; Canadian astronaut and Governor General Julie Payette; musician Dave Matthews; academic leaders such as Maria Klawe, Robert Mendenhall, Lee T. Todd Jr., Bruce Harreld; NFL official Bill Carollo; Rangers F.C. chairman John McClelland; and Nobel Prize winner J. M. Coetzee. Additionally, Thomas Watson Jr. held the position of national president of the Boy Scouts of America.

Five IBM staff members have been honored with Nobel Prizes: Leo Esaki (1973) for semiconductor research; Gerd Binnig and Heinrich Rohrer (1986) for inventing the scanning tunneling microscope; Georg Bednorz and Alex Müller (1987) for their work on superconductivity. Six employees have received the Turing Award, including Frances E. Allen—the first woman to earn this distinction. Furthermore, IBM personnel have been awarded ten National Medals of Technology and five National Medals of Science in the United States.

Workplace culture

Throughout its more than one hundred years of existence, IBM's workforce—commonly referred to as "IBMers"—has witnessed a profound transformation in corporate culture. In the company's early days, employees adhered to a strict dress code characterized by dark suits, white shirts, and conservative ties. This formal style was notably loosened during the 1990s under CEO Louis V. Gerstner Jr., who spearheaded a cultural shift aimed at modernizing both the attire and conduct of staff members. Internally, the IBM acronym has been playfully reinterpreted to capture various employee experiences, including frequent transfers ("I've Been Moved"), solitary remote work ("I'm By Myself"), and a strong focus on guidance and development ("I'm Being Mentored"). While IBM has historically opposed unionization efforts within the United States, some of its international workforce members are represented by labor unions.

President

Thomas J. Watson, 1911–1949
John George Phillips, 1949–1951
Thomas J. Watson Jr., 1951–1961
Albert Lynn Williams, 1961–1966
T. Vincent Learson, 1966–1971
Frank T. Cary, 1971–1974
John R. Opel, 1974–1983
John Fellows Akers, 1983–1989
Jack Kuehler, 1989–
Samuel J. Palmisano, 2000–2012
Ginni Rometty, 2012–2020
Arvind Krishna, 2020–present

Chairman of the Board

George Winthrop Fairchild, 1915–1949
Thomas J. Watson, 1949–1961
Thomas J. Watson Jr., 1961–1971
T. Vincent Learson, 1971–1972
Frank T. Cary, 1972–1983
John R. Opel, 1983–1986
John Fellows Akers, 1986–1993
Lou Gerstner, 1993–2002
Samuel J. Palmisano, 2003–2012
Ginni Rometty, 2012–2020
Arvind Krishna, 2020–present

External links

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IBM