Description: (Entrepreneur)
Thomas J. Watson Sr. was a well-known American businessman recognized for his leadership as the chairman and CEO of IBM. He played a pivotal role in guiding the company's growth into a global industry leader between 1914 and 1956, shaping IBM's management practices and organizational culture. Watson was instrumental in turning IBM into a prosperous sales-focused entity, with the introduction of innovative punched card tabulating machines. Notably, he approved IBM's partnership with Nazi Germany in the years leading up to and during World War II, which significantly boosted the company's financial performance. Watson was a highly accomplished industrialist and ranked among the wealthiest individuals of his time.