IBM: A Century of Innovation and Transformation Founded in 1911 as the Computing-Tabulating-Recording Company (CTR), IBM's origins trace back to several late 19th-century technological innovations. Thomas J. Watson Sr.'s leadership solidified the company's foundation, fostering a culture of innovation and customer service. The name change to International Business Machines in 1924 reflected its expanding global reach. The company's early success was marked by the development of pivotal technologies, including the hard disk drive (RAMAC) and the influential System/360 computer family. IBM's involvement in World War II, both as a military contractor and through its German subsidiary's dealings with the Nazi regime, represents a complex chapter in its history. Post-war, IBM dominated the mainframe market, creating industry standards. The latter half of the 20th century saw IBM pioneer technologies like the magnetic stripe card and the Universal Product Code, while also facing antitrust scrutiny. The introduction of the IBM Personal Computer revolutionized personal computing but also initiated a period of intense competition and market share loss. Subsequent restructuring and divestitures saw the creation of numerous independent entities and a shift towards services and software. More recently, IBM has focused on cloud computing, artificial intelligence (AI), and data analytics, highlighted by the development of Watson and acquisitions such as Red Hat. While encountering periods of significant losses and challenges, IBM has continually adapted, acquiring and divesting assets, and navigating a constantly evolving technological landscape. Its recent acquisitions and partnerships demonstrate ongoing efforts to remain a major player in the global technology sector. Recent controversies, including the suspension of ads on Twitter and the divestment of certain divisions, however, also shape the current narrative of the company.