IBM marks 100th anniversary

Computer tech giant IBM (International Business Corp.) last week marked its 100th anniversary of its founding date, 16 June 1911.

IBM was first founded after four different companies were merged to form the Computing Tabulating Recording Corporation. The company changed its name to IBM in 1924.

During its first century, IBM invested in a research lab during the depths of the Great Depression, developed the first hard disk drive that created the data storage industry, and worked with the US Government to develop the Social Security System.

In addition, the company developed 1964’s new computing model, the System/360 mainframe; invented the UPC code, which is commonly known as the bar code; created the IBM Personal Computer that launched the PC revolution; and most recently developed Watson, the computer that triumphed on the TV game show Jeopardy!