THOMAS J. WATSON SR. - TYPED LETTER SIGNED 06/05/1953 - HFSID 166984

IBM: THOMAS J. WATSON, SR.
Entrepreneur congratulates bridge designer on doctorate.
TLS: "Thos J. Watson". 1p, 7¾x10½. New York, NY, 1953 June 5. To Dr. David B. Steinman, New York. In full: "I want to extend to you my hearty congratulations upon having received the honorary degree of Doctor of Science at Columbia University. I am personally delighted that you have been recognized in this important way. Your brilliant record of accomplishment is indeed an inspiration to all of our young people and your outstanding contributions in the field of bridge engineering - not only in the United States but in many other parts of the world - are of inestimable value. Let me congratulate you again and extend to you my very best wishes and kindest regards." The man who shaped IBM into the world's dominating manufacturer of business machines, Thomas John Watson Sr., signed this June 5, 1953 letter to friend and renowned bridge builder David Barnard Steinman (1886-1960). This letter of congratulations from Watson to Steinman exemplifies the mutual respect shared by these giants of their respective industries. Seasoned by 15 years of sales experience at the National Cash Register Company (1898-1913), where he first introduced his motto "Think", WATSON joined the Computing-Tabulating-Recording Company as President in 1914. Ten years later, that company changed its name to the International Business Machines Corporation and, while under his leadership, forged a worldwide command of the business-machine industry. STEINMAN, who earned a doctorate in engineering from Columbia University in addition to his honorary doctorate of science, designed over 400 bridges during his accomplished career. Among his designs are the Henry Hudson Bridge in New York, the Sydney Harbour Bridge in Australia and the wondrous Mackinac Bridge in Michigan. His studies of wind velocity and airflow led to a more feasible and sturdy design for future construction of aerodynamic bridges. In 1948, he supervised the renovation of the Brooklyn Bridge, including the widening of the roadway and the reinforcement of its trusses. Steinman's books, including Suspension Bridges: The Aerodynamic Problem and Its Solution (1954) and Miracle Bridge at Mackinac (1957), document his achievements and exist as valuable bridge-building resources. As president of IBM, Watson unleashed an aggressive two-fold plan consisting of innovative research and development and the formation of a highly motivated, well-trained sales force. Exercising his IBM slogan "World Peace Through World Trade", he built bridges of his own by encouraging his forces to expand internationally, while being one of the first industrialists to offer his employees wide-ranging benefits. Watson's regard for his workers and his efforts toward world peace - he was elected President of the International Chamber of Commerce, earned him great respect worldwide. For the conscientious and limited-profit production of military munitions by IBM during World War II, Watson was honored by President Harry S Truman with the Congressional Medal of Merit (1947). Through unwavering discipline, diplomacy and fairness, Watson guided IBM into an industrial empire with unprecedented success. Lightly creased. Folds, horizontal fold touches the "J" in signature. Receipt-stamped at bottom right corner. Fine condition. Framed in Gallery of History style: 32x23.