Quote by Thomas J. Watson

I think there is a world market for maybe five computers.

I think there is a world market for maybe five computers.

Summary

This quote is often attributed to Thomas Watson, the chairman of IBM, in 1943. However, it is commonly misinterpreted. Watson's remark was not meant to express a lack of foresight but to emphasize the perceived limited demand for computers at that time. It serves as a reminder of how dramatically our world has changed, going from minimal computer usage to the ubiquity of computers today. The quote highlights the uncertainty and limited visibility executives had regarding the future popularity and necessity of computers, ultimately proving how difficult it can be to predict technological advancements and their widespread impacts.

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By Thomas J. Watson

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