Monday, June 17, 2013

Quote of the Week

Image Source: Wikipedia
I think there is a world market for maybe five computers. - Thomas Watson (1874-1956), Chairman of IBM, 1943

He was one of the richest men of his time, and was called the world's greatest salesman when he died in 1956.  He had no idea when he made that statement just how far computers would go or to what extent they would change the world. 

7 comments:

  1. Hi Linda .. I suppose he thought they were so big and took up so many rooms - that really they wouldn't take off .. but then he didn't know about Moore's Law and the doubling in size of the chip performance ..

    I expect he'd have loved to have been around now .. but we have seen such enormous change ..

    Have a good week - Hilary

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  2. This made me smile, Linda, especially because I wrote of the antique types of computers. Sometimes, even the brightest of minds can miss the mark completely.

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  3. He would be in awe if saw what we have now :)

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  4. Interesting quote. I think it is hard to imagine what the future holds outside of your time frame. Even a decade ago we couldn't imagine carrying around little computer smart phones to the degree we do today. Technology moves at lightening speed.

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  5. Wow. He would be in complete shock if he saw technology now a days!

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  6. I had to read that twice! I was like, "REALLY?!?!" That is hysterical!!!!!

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  7. Hilary- We have indeed seen a lot of changes that would both shock and amaze him.

    Talon- I read that and remember my history with computers and the green letters on the black screen and the "floppy" discs, etc. We have come a long way even since then.

    Babs- He surely would. Probably the most surprised by the great power and small size, when the reverse was true in the beginning.

    Cheryl- Sometimes I think it moves too quickly. By the time we get used to something - it's obsolete.

    Meleah- I imagine he would, but would he be pleased?

    Katherine- I expect the size and cost was prohibitive, and before the internet, what did individuals need with them?

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