Watson Sr., Thomas J.

The founder of International Business Machines (IBM) Corporation, which was created from Computing-Tabulating-Recording Company in the 1920s. IBM built its business on business machines, particularly the keypunch, sorter, and accounting machines. Watson combined an understanding of technology with organization and planning skills. Watson demanded devotion to the business from his employees and preferred his male employees to be married, well groomed, in good physical shape, and teetotalers.