According to the Washington Post, "IBM didn't invent the computer … it invented the computer industry." Eventually expanding to become the largest company in the world, International Business Machines (IBM) came to represent, at different points in its history, the best and the worst of big business and American corporate culture.

Charles Ranlegh Flint, the "Father of Trusts," founded the Computing-Tabulating-Recording Company in 1911 upon the acquisition and merger of three manufacturers of such products as shopkeepers' scales, punch clocks, and large tabulating machines used by the census bureau. Flint hired Thomas J. Watson, Sr. to run his new company.

Watson was a star salesman and business executive at National Cash Register before joining what would become IBM. Upon his arrival, he implemented a system of territories, quotas, and commissions for his salesmen. The motto "T-H-I-N-K" was posted in all branch offices and salesmen...