Great American Business Leaders of the 20th Century
Thomas J. Watson, Jr.
IBM
1955–1971
1955–1971
IBM
1955–1971
1955–1971
- Industry: Computers & Electronics
- Era: 1950
Though his father had turned IBM into a tremendously successful company, the firm that Thomas Jr. inherited was largely a mix of loosely organized divisions that competed with one another for resources. After an intensive restructuring, which improved efficiency while still achieving a decentralized structure, IBM continued to expand further, acquiring ten new plants in a span of 6 years and increasing foreign investment. Watson also continued to invest heavily in research and development, and IBM came to control 80 percent of the American computer market by the late 1960s and early 1970s.
Personal
- Born-Died: 1914–1993
- Birthplace: Ohio
- Race: White
- Gender: Male
- Father: Head, Same Company
Education / Military
- Undergraduate: Brown University
- Military Service: Air Force