"THINK" is a slogan associated with the American multinational technology company
IBM.
History
The "THINK" slogan was first used by
Thomas J. Watson in December 1911, while managing the sales and advertising departments at the
National Cash Register Company
NCR Corporation, previously known as National Cash Register, is an American software, consulting and technology company providing several professional services and electronic products. It manufactures self-service kiosks, point-of-sale termin ...
. At an uninspiring sales meeting, Watson interrupted, saying "The trouble with every one of us is that we don't think enough. We don't get paid for working with our feet — we get paid for working with our heads". Watson then wrote THINK on the easel.
Asked later what he meant by the slogan, Watson replied, "By THINK I mean take everything into consideration. I refuse to make the sign more specific. If a man just sees THINK, he'll find out what I mean. We're not interested in a logic course."
In 1914, Watson brought the slogan with him to the
Computing-Tabulating-Recording Company
The Computing-Tabulating-Recording Company (CTR) was a holding company of manufacturers of record-keeping and measuring systems subsequently known as IBM.
In 1911, financier and noted trust organizer, "Father of Trusts", Charles R. Flint amal ...
(CTR) and its subsidiaries, all of which later became
IBM. International Time Recording, one of the subsidiaries, published a magazine for employees and customers, named ''Time'', which, in 1935, IBM would rename to THINK. IBM continues to use the slogan. THINK is also an IBM trademark; IBM named its laptop computers
ThinkPad
ThinkPad is a line of business-oriented laptop computers and tablets designed, developed and marketed by Lenovo, and formerly by IBM until 2005, when IBM's PC business was acquired by Lenovo. ThinkPads have a distinct black, boxy design la ...
s and named a line of business-oriented desktop computers
ThinkCentre
The ThinkCentre is a line of business-oriented desktop computers designed, developed and marketed by Lenovo, and formerly by IBM from 2003 to 2005. ThinkCentre computers typically include mid-range to high-end processors, options for discrete ...
.
Since 2018,
IBM's main conference is called Think.
The
Apple
An apple is an edible fruit produced by an apple tree (''Malus domestica''). Apple trees are cultivated worldwide and are the most widely grown species in the genus ''Malus''. The tree originated in Central Asia, where its wild ancestor ...
slogan "
Think different
"Think different" is an advertising slogan used from 1997 to 2002 by Apple Computer, Inc., now named Apple Inc. The campaign was created by the Los Angeles office of advertising agency TBWA\Chiat\Day.
The slogan has been widely taken as a respo ...
" which was first used in 1997 has been widely taken as a response to IBM's THINK.
Lincoln Center
Lincoln Center for the Performing Arts (also simply known as Lincoln Center) is a complex of buildings in the Lincoln Square neighborhood on the Upper West Side of Manhattan. It has thirty indoor and outdoor facilities and is host to 5 milli ...
in 2011.
File:IBM Poughkeepsie Think Path.JPG, A walking path at the IBM Poughkeepsie site, with the word "THINK".
File:IBM Think D100 Test.jpg, IBM Think sign
See also
*
History of IBM
References
External links
IBM ThinkIBM Think Conference
{{IBM
IBM
American advertising slogans
1910s neologisms