Yes, we helped take computing into space. We helped put the PC on desks around the world. And we pioneered the first modular quantum computing system — today providing access to quantum computing capabilities and services, helping organizations explore next-generation computing solutions.
But that's only part of the story.
From Wimbledon & the Grammys to the world's most complex businesses, IBM helps make extraordinary things happen.
We bring technology, expertise and long-standing partnerships together to solve what's difficult today — and unlock what's possible tomorrow.
Not just the technology. The partner behind the transformation.
That's IBM.
A FEW MOMENTS THAT MOVED US FORWARD
IBM through the years.
Scroll to explore. Select a moment to read its story.
1938
01 / 10
Inventing the bubble sheet.
Thanks to the IBM 805 International Test Scoring Machine, children hear the phrase “Please fill in the bubble completely” for the first time, when taking their tests!
A diverse group of 4,000 IBMers help Apollo 11 to land on the moon.
“The systems information that we used to make the go, no-go decisions was developed by IBM. The ultimate go, no-go decision [that day] was provided to me by computers operated by IBM engineers within NASA’s Mission Control Center. Without IBM and the systems they provided, we would not have landed on the moon.”
In 1970, grocery retailers and packaged goods manufacturers make a unified call for the creation of a standard machine-readable symbol, to help supermarkets manage inventory. After 3 years of R&D, IBM wins the competitive pitch, and the UPC barcode is born.
IBM introduces the mass market Personal Computer, changing the way the world does business.
IBM expected to sell 240,000 PCs. It sold two million. A year later, Time named the PC its “Person of the Year.”
1992
06 / 10
Making computers beautiful.
The ThinkPad marks a turning point for the image of IBM and the prospects of mobile computing. Keen to avoid “a hideous beige machine” designers were asked to make something with “Speed, beauty, practicality and grace.”
IBM’s Deep Blue plays a six-game rematch with chess Grandmaster Garry Kasparov. Deep Blue becomes the first computer to defeat a reigning chess world champion.
IBM receives 9,043 patents, making it the 25th consecutive year that IBM has led the world in patent registrations.
2023
10 / 10
Building the next kind of computer.
IBM pioneered the first modular quantum computing system and today provides access to quantum computing capabilities and services, helping organizations explore next-generation computing solutions.
