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Making the World Work Better: The Ideas That Shaped a Century and a Company
One hundred years ago, the company that would become IBM took its first steps into an unknown future. In Making the World Work Better: The Ideas That Shaped a Century and a Company, journalists Kevin Maney, Steve Hamm and Jeffrey M. O’Brien tell a story of progress that illuminates, and transcends, the rich history of a single enterprise.
Through extensive research, they explore IBM’s impact on technology, on the evolving role of the modern corporation and on the way our world literally works. Most intriguingly, they uncover a set of compelling ideas whose greatest impact may lie not in the previous century, but in the next one—ideas with the power to shape a surprising future, and to change the way we think.
352 pages, Paperback
First published January 1, 2011
30 people are currently reading
251 people want to read
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Displaying 1 - 22 of 22 reviews
August 7, 2018
A classic inspiring fairy tale experience of a corporate house clocking its hundred years with its wings spread over 170 countries is depicted in this compilation. IBM has achieved major breakthroughs in the field of Mainframes, Supercomputers, Health Science etc in these hundred years of its operation. The objective of the book is to give a brief insight into the values and principles followed at IBM to deal with client requirement fulfillment. The solid foundation for such a huge organisation was laid by Mr. Thomas J. Watson. The book also gives the development history obeyed by IBM in introducing to the world the first Supercomputer called Watson. The journey of IBM from being a start up through to becoming one of the most widespread Multinational company is depicted in the book. The role of Junior Watson in taking IBM to greater heights is also given importance in the book. All in all, a complete centenary bonanza presented to the readers in a compilation off 300 odd pages. A good read for techno - biz geeks. IBMers should enjoy reading this very interesting and inspiring compilation. The legacy that IBM has developed over these hundred years and how IBM has managed to cocoon that legacy for use in modern world is presented in a subtle way in this book. Enjoy reading!
September 3, 2011
This took me a very long time to get through. Not because of the content, per se, but because of the style. It read a lot like a textbook, so trying to read it at night was often a no go, with only getting about 10-15 pages read and then falling asleep. I actually just took the last couple of hours to finish the last 150 pages.
As a former IBM employee, it's interesting to see the evolution of the company throughout history, and to have first hand experiences of how the company's values were put into effect on a more personal level. While I won't comment on my personal experiences at IBM I will say that I do admire their business values of thinking on a global level and working together to help create new technologies to serve communities and solve problems in addition to their corporate duties. It's nice to see a company that doesn't think of itself only on the corporate level but also envisions it's capabilities and responsibility to individuals.
I also admire, (and was unaware until reading this book) the fact that IBM was one of the first companies to hire women and minorities, and didn't follow the racial segregation issues of the past.
As a former IBM employee, it's interesting to see the evolution of the company throughout history, and to have first hand experiences of how the company's values were put into effect on a more personal level. While I won't comment on my personal experiences at IBM I will say that I do admire their business values of thinking on a global level and working together to help create new technologies to serve communities and solve problems in addition to their corporate duties. It's nice to see a company that doesn't think of itself only on the corporate level but also envisions it's capabilities and responsibility to individuals.
I also admire, (and was unaware until reading this book) the fact that IBM was one of the first companies to hire women and minorities, and didn't follow the racial segregation issues of the past.
November 21, 2011
If you project the philosophy of this book into the future, it seems to suggest that we will all be like bees in a beehive, working efficiently for the good of a smarter planet. In that smarter planet, complex systems will be fully understood, and information systems will tell each of us exactly what needs to be done.
I'm proud to work for IBM, but this book is a little bit frightening. I prefer to think we live in world where complex system can never be fully understood or controlled. I like a world in which random things can, and often do, surprise us.
I'm proud to work for IBM, but this book is a little bit frightening. I prefer to think we live in world where complex system can never be fully understood or controlled. I like a world in which random things can, and often do, surprise us.
August 6, 2019
If you saw the "1984" Apple ad, I can recommend this book to you as it is a good counter-balance to that vision of IBM. Because, this book makes you like IBM more. From that perspective I can be sure that Steve Jobs was definitely exaggerating.
However, it's not only bragging all the time about the corporation, it also contains some broad overview of the humanity's past challenges and predicted future ones. And it describes an important chunk of computing history.
The book also questions changes of how the corporations are and should be organized in the future compared to the traditional models. It's also touching the subject of corporate philanthropy.
However, it's not only bragging all the time about the corporation, it also contains some broad overview of the humanity's past challenges and predicted future ones. And it describes an important chunk of computing history.
The book also questions changes of how the corporations are and should be organized in the future compared to the traditional models. It's also touching the subject of corporate philanthropy.
May 9, 2017
When i worked at IBM, they gave me this book. It's well written, so it's easy to read. In one part, they explain the interesting history of IBM. And other part, is more about the changes in the technology and computer science. That part somewhat, if possible, made me feel even more excited about studying Computer Science and Software Development.
September 20, 2011
As a recent hire at IBM, I found this book spot on. This describes why people join IBM. I'm reminded of the story of when John Sculley was hired at Apple, where Jobs famously asked "Do you want to sell sugar water the rest of your life, or do you want to ... change the world?" Seems like that concept -- wanting to be part of something that changes the world -- works at IBM, too. The book consists of three parts written by three different authors. The first part describes a model of a technology stack and shows where IBM and other innovators created history in these areas. The second section focuses on big issues, specifically big business issues, and describes IBM's role in changing business and society, often through company policy. The third section is similar to the first but uses a model related to systems thinking, pegging IBM's and other companies' accomplishments to this model. This section gives examples of how IBM takes big ideas and makes them real.
I've read a number of other company-sponsored "anniversary books" but this is the first that focused not on the company but on the times the company worked in. I appreciated the attempt at completeness. There were nice graphics throughout that broke up the story. The book did feel a little long, and the approach of using three authors for three different approaches made the book feel like a very long magazine. The book does deliver for those wanting to find out how IBM has been a positive influence on technology, business, and society.
I've read a number of other company-sponsored "anniversary books" but this is the first that focused not on the company but on the times the company worked in. I appreciated the attempt at completeness. There were nice graphics throughout that broke up the story. The book did feel a little long, and the approach of using three authors for three different approaches made the book feel like a very long magazine. The book does deliver for those wanting to find out how IBM has been a positive influence on technology, business, and society.
October 4, 2013
Being an IBM guy myself, I cannot over emphasize how understated Big Blue is in this world. For innovate, fast, and reliable computing, IBM is without peer. But, few people can tell you why IBM consistently produces great technology and value. This book helps the casual computer user understand how IBM has been all about getting the job done.
Each platform can boast of something that it does best, but this book demonstrates how IBM has paved the way for all others to grow from. From RAM to HDD to CPU and COMMs, we need consider this silent giant. Not all was roses for them. IBM has had to refocus several times, but with each change they've emerged stronger.
The best part about this three part book is that it makes a great casual reader. The photography is great and follows the narrative. You can almost make it a coffee table reader if it was just a little bigger.
Highly recommend this.
Each platform can boast of something that it does best, but this book demonstrates how IBM has paved the way for all others to grow from. From RAM to HDD to CPU and COMMs, we need consider this silent giant. Not all was roses for them. IBM has had to refocus several times, but with each change they've emerged stronger.
The best part about this three part book is that it makes a great casual reader. The photography is great and follows the narrative. You can almost make it a coffee table reader if it was just a little bigger.
Highly recommend this.
April 15, 2012
On June 16, 2011, IBM celebrated their centennial. Today, computers influence nearly every aspect of our lives. Who knew that punch cards would serve to change the world to such an extent?
Making the World Work Better looks at the history of innovation at IBM and the computing world in general. It’s really quite an amazing journey. A hundred years ago, punch cards were useful for collecting data for time cards and the like but they couldn’t do anything with that data and they sure couldn’t manipulate it or analyze it. For the most part, industry was built while trying to make these systems more useful. Continuing to make them faster, more memory, greater computing power, and user friendly until people started to realize the potential of such systems.
Making the World Work Better looks at the history of innovation at IBM and the computing world in general. It’s really quite an amazing journey. A hundred years ago, punch cards were useful for collecting data for time cards and the like but they couldn’t do anything with that data and they sure couldn’t manipulate it or analyze it. For the most part, industry was built while trying to make these systems more useful. Continuing to make them faster, more memory, greater computing power, and user friendly until people started to realize the potential of such systems.
March 1, 2013
Nice read !!! its a fact i come to know from the book that Charles Babbage's analytical engine was inspired by a Jacquard loom which is used to produce larger patterns to the fabric. The input to the first computational machine run by punched card which is the same technique in jacquard loom!!!
( today that technology reversed, now Jacquard looms runs not by punched cards but by digital signals from a computer !!!!!)
This book contains a comprehensive research on the history of the computer, how technology transformed the way of living and what did IBM contributed and contributing for. This book also describes how the world can be a smarter planet using technology ranging from traffic management to personalized medicines.
( today that technology reversed, now Jacquard looms runs not by punched cards but by digital signals from a computer !!!!!)
This book contains a comprehensive research on the history of the computer, how technology transformed the way of living and what did IBM contributed and contributing for. This book also describes how the world can be a smarter planet using technology ranging from traffic management to personalized medicines.
February 7, 2016
There are three sections to the book, by three different authors. Part 1 is a survey of the history of computing emphasizing IBM's contribution, which works well since the company was there from the beginning. Part 2 is more of a businessman's perspective and was a bit less interesting to me. Part 3 is an essay on the process of solving complex problems (seeing, measuring, understanding, believing and acting) and made some insightful observations.
On the whole, the book was less of a 'corporate bragging' publication than I expected, although it of course paints IBM in an entirely positive light.
On the whole, the book was less of a 'corporate bragging' publication than I expected, although it of course paints IBM in an entirely positive light.
November 11, 2013
I read this book thinking that it would provide a rich history of IBM and how it became a successful business. Instead, this book focused more on developments in technology over the last century and how they have affected the world. I will admit that the changes in technology were fascinating, and I was surprised by how much of a role IBM played in shaping our present world. However, I think the book could have said more about IBM as a business instead of just focusing on the technology of the times.
February 14, 2012
It reads like an 'about us' of a website for a pamphlet on a front desk, except 300x longer.
Not a bad read, provides a lot of history and explains the culture but I wouldn't quite recommend it to anyone.
12-02-2012
Got it free from work... may as well give it a read.
Not a bad read, provides a lot of history and explains the culture but I wouldn't quite recommend it to anyone.
12-02-2012
Got it free from work... may as well give it a read.
July 16, 2011
This book made me really proud to be an IBMer.
July 28, 2011
Mostly skimmed through it, but found it pretty interesting...
Read
March 29, 2014Old school corporate history of the kind only IBM would do any more. Which made it awesome and me slightly nostalgic for my Quaker days.
January 2, 2015
Won this book in a giveaway.
Want to read
December 9, 2011Oh My Geezus! I won again! Happy Christmas to meeeeeeeeeeee!!! *singing in falsetto
will-read-someday
January 20, 2012Got this book for free at work. Hello there, I have no idea when I'll read you.
Currently reading
May 6, 2012Currently reading it.
September 22, 2013
Very educational. Even having worked 10+ years at IBM, I wasn't aware of everything covered in this book. The book really answers the question "what does IBM do?".
Want to read
March 10, 2015I registered a book at BookCrossing.com!
http://www.BookCrossing.com/journal/13221497
http://www.BookCrossing.com/journal/13221497
April 10, 2017
Felt like an advertisement and missing history
After recently read The Trinity about the Intel founders and the start of Intel along with many other biographies of Apple and Steve Jobs, Microsoft and Gates, Paul Allen, etc, I was excited to get this perspective. However, it read like promotional material. Given the authors journalism career I was bummed. I also felt like a lot of the storyline was disconnected and the bouncing around timeline wise didn't seem to find a pattern. What was most underwhelming was the lack of IBM storyline. It started really great with getting a man on the moon and the incredible focus on equality in the workforce, then it just lost me about a third in.
Not sure if there are better books out there on this subject, but I would skip this one.
After recently read The Trinity about the Intel founders and the start of Intel along with many other biographies of Apple and Steve Jobs, Microsoft and Gates, Paul Allen, etc, I was excited to get this perspective. However, it read like promotional material. Given the authors journalism career I was bummed. I also felt like a lot of the storyline was disconnected and the bouncing around timeline wise didn't seem to find a pattern. What was most underwhelming was the lack of IBM storyline. It started really great with getting a man on the moon and the incredible focus on equality in the workforce, then it just lost me about a third in.
Not sure if there are better books out there on this subject, but I would skip this one.
Displaying 1 - 22 of 22 reviews