THINK Again! 20th Century Ideas and High Ideals for the 21st Century is an anthology of the editorials written for THINK Magazine by IBM’s traditional founder, Thomas J. Watson Sr.
Tom Watson wrote these lead-in editorials from the magazine’s first issue in June 1935—at 61 years of age—entitled “Introducing THINK,” through his last editorial published in the very month of his death in June 1956—at 82 years of age—entitled “Youth.”
The year 2024 brings the arrival to two events significant in IBM corporate history: the centennial of the renaming of the C-T-R Company to International Business Machines Corporation (IBM) arrives on February 14, 2024; and only three days later, on February 17, 2024, is the sesquicentennial of the birth of Tom Watson Sr., IBM’s traditional founder. The publication of these two hundred-fifty three editorials is in commemoration of these events.
Once a month for twenty-one years, Tom Watson introduced each issue of THINK Magazine with his editorial thoughts. They were short and easily read; they were contemplative in nature; and they revealed one of America’s greatest industrialist’s innermost feelings. Usually the title and the topic were identical and straightforward; and they were usually written on a singular theme such as “Service,” “Faith,” or “Fortitude,” or additionally, “Genius,” “Culture,” or “Purpose.” Sometimes, a more intriguing title pulled the reader in such as “The Voice Within,” “The Windows of Our Minds,” or “The Light of Inspiration.”
These editorials were written during times of inspiration but also sometimes—as World War II loomed, desperation. They give the reader a formal glimpse into Watson’s drive and motivations. Reading this industrialist’s thoughts on so many divergent topics, is the first step in understanding Tom Watson as a complete human being—an initial way to understand him beyond his accomplishments as a businessman.
For two decades, his readership experienced his thoughts, his dreams, and his persuasive insights. Today’s reader, through these editorials, gains a preliminary insight into Tom Watson’s character by examining his ideas and the highest of his ideals—his thoughts, beliefs, and values. Any historian or biographer who wishes to capture, examine, understand, and interpret this chief executive officer’s motivations, should start with this timely collection of editorials. It is a dependable, long-term, grounding-stake from which to conduct further research into one of the great American industrialists who helped build the twentieth-century economic foundations of the United States of America.
Many potential readers may wonder if Tom Watson wrote these editorials. They may wonder if these editorials were important to him. They may question how he—as an individual who never graduated from college, acquired the knowledge displayed in these editorials. Finally, they may ask if these editorials made a difference? The answer to these questions are covered in the Introduction to THINK Again!: 20th Century Ideas and High Ideals for the 21st Century.
Through this collection of editorials, Tom Watson speaks for himself.
As you read this anthology, please pause and ponder.
Or just … THINK!
