IBM Day: New York World's Fair (May 4, 1939)

[Music] [Music] [Music] la the [Music] [Music] la [Music] [Music] a great day in IBM history this happily designated by the New York World's Fair is IBM day it is a day devoted to the cause of World Peace to emphasizing the great opportunities to achieve world peace that are to be found in world trade and to proclaiming a new the principles essential to World Peace as they are practiced daily by IBM people in all the 79 countries in which this worldwide Corporation carries on its thoroughly constructive operations it is a day on which more than 3,000 members of IBM's great family representative of 27 countries are to join with some 2,000 distinguished guests in a program unique not only in the annals of IBM but in the history of American industry it is a Day Too on which all who have made themselves eligible to membership in IBM's world famous sales Club it's 100% Club ought to be greatly honored and above all is it a day on which IBM's great leader Mr Thomas J Watson is to be paid a special tribute because on this day he completes a quarter Century of Highly honorable and distinguished service for IBM a quarter Century of truly remarkable individual accomplishment the great day begins early president Watson and his family up at the crack of dawn arrive at the World's Fair Grounds at 9:00 before us we see the famous ceremonial guard of haskal Indians which forms an escort of Honor for them from without the gates approaching Peron Hall in which the guests of honor are to be received the escort draws up in line and tips lances in salute to president Watson [Music] Mr Watson and his party now enter the Hall Mr Grover whan president of the New York Worlds Fair daily greets his guests besides president and Mrs Watson in the group before us are Mr FW nickel vice president and general manager and other IBM Executives Mr Watson signs the World's Fair guest book which contains the autographs of distinguished visitors from every corner of the globe [Music] Mr Nichol is next to [Music] register Mrs Watson adds her signature to the historic [Music] page the ceremonial registration over president Watson's party leaves Peron Hall and the honor guard again precedes it this time to IBM's great exhibit in the Hall of Business Systems and insurance pending their arrival there let's Glimpse some of the sights of the fair Constitution M with his huge statue of Washington that significant group The Four Freedoms freedom of speech assembly worship and the press the court of peace and the Lagoon of Nations the Federal Building the British Pavilion [Music] the French the Italian the Romanian the Swedish the Turkish that of Japan the Netherlands Russia Poland Chile Finland Denmark Belgium Lithuania Venezuela Portugal the Pan-American Union Peru Mexico the Dominican Republic Cuba [Music] Brazil Australia Canada Norway Argentina Switzerland Hungary sayam Yugoslavia Greece Iceland [Music] Iraq Luxemburg Morocco Jewish Palestine Czechoslovakia Albania Lebanon Ireland New Zealand all very Charming on this bright May morning now now we approach the business systems and insurance building home of the IBM exhibit a beautiful Rose Court is before the building an impressive statuary adorns the entrance [Music] Colony now the entrance to our [Music] exhibit here we are inside the hall our attention drawn at once to the great glass globe that occupies the center of the gallery it contains one of IBM's Miracle working machines the last word in modern electrical accounting equipment the sphere's transparent surface Bears a map of the world with colored Stars designating the international scope of IBM operations the machines on exhibition represent the genius of more than 300 IBM engineers and their assistants the paintings which Adorn the walls are the works of Representative contemporary artists in the 79 countries in which the corporation does business unique among industrial display of this great World's Fair the exhibit itself is fittingly called the IBM gallery of science and art and now a near view of some of the canvases probably the most comprehensive art collection of its kind ever presented the paintings here displayed were ordered by Mr Watson in 1937 and assembled under his personal supervision a patron of the Arts himself his aim in this undertaking was to Foster an increased interest in art by business and an increased interest in business by Art the statue before us is by a lien Frost and is symbolical of the world's great prayer for Universal peace this like the exhibit as a whole emphasizes the common concerns of all the world's peoples but now to return to the morning's events Mr Watson Mr nickel and Mr whin arrive and enter the gallery of science and art the exercises officially opening BM day will presently begin with Mr Nichols introduction to Mr whan [Music] ladies and gentlemen gives me great pleasure and I deem it an honor to present the honorable Grover whan president of the New York World's Fair Mr whan is citizen number one of the United States you have seen some of his handywork you must realize what a remarkable job he has done and is doing and the effect of that job on the world world is going to be incalculably great and favorable after this fair is over the whole world will realize what has been done by this great man who has built I give you Mr whale Mr nich Mr Watson it's great privilege for me as president of the New York Worlds Fair Corporation to welcome Mr Watson and his associates here this morning 3 years or more have passed before I since I spoke to Mr Watson about his participation in the New York worlds fair and it was his encouragement and his urging that helped us on in a very substantial way he could see the vision that we we had he could see the opportunities that lay ahead for a better understanding of the theme of the fair and that theme as you know is something that's been very close to Mr Watson's heart for a long number of years years the interdependence of peoples of states and of Nations and the interdependence of business and the independence of the man on the farm and the Man in the city in other words the pattern of our economic and social life is something that is important to all of us and unless it is a good pattern it will not work it will not endure and so here with all of the European the Far East and the central South uh American countries participating in the New York World Fair we have here a world picture not only a world picture but a human picture and we've been able to show that these nations could work in harmony that these great business organizations could work in Harmony and build this great institution the institution represents not the work of any one man but the Consolidated brain of America and those things that have come to that brain over a period of 150 pie ful years of History here in the United States under under our Federal Constitution and so today Mr Watson is a great privilege for me to decorate you in the only way that we could possibly decorate you and that's by giving you a scroll and I know that it would mean more to you than any other sort of a decoration because it is something that you can always keep in your library and make it a part of your own home life I have the great honor and privilege to uh to give you this Proclamation whereas the International Business Machines Corporation typifies in its worldwide organization that Spirit of international understanding and that desire to promote the lot of mankind and to build durable peace which are the aims of the New York World's Fair of 19 1939 and whereas Mr Thomas Watson president of the International Business Machines Corporation has made and is making many contributions to the advancement of this goal not only within his own organization but also as the president of the international Chamber of Commerce Trustee of the Carnegie Endowment for International Peace director of the New York World's Fair of 1939 and chairman of its advisory committee on foreign participation and whereas the International Business Machines Corporation will hold its annual United States and Canadian 100% Club Convention during the first week of May 1939 and will bring to the fair as its guests sales leaders and me members of its engineering educational manufacturing service recording and executive forces from many parts of the world therefore be it proclaimed that May 4th 1939 we established the the the IBM day in honor of the company and its distinguished president Mr Watson [Applause] Mr whan I wish to express to you my very deepest personal thanks and appreciation and also the thanks and appreciation of of all members of the IBM organization throughout the 79 countries of the world where we are engaged in business for the very great compliment and consideration which you as president of the New York World's Fair has extended to our company this means more to us than I can express to you in words because our company represents a world organization we call it a world Institution we're one great family and anything that that affects one affects all and what you have done for us in proclaiming this day as IBM day touches the hearts of the more than 11,000 employees of our country distributed throughout the world and I wish to take you by the hand and extend to you personally my personal thanks and appreci appreciation of your friendship which I have enjoyed for so many years and which has meant so much to me in the way of encouragement and inspiration thank you very much back of everything worthwhile you always find two things an idea and a personality now the idea back of the New York World's Fair was to arrange this Fair as a very artistic scene and aside from that to furnish an opportunity to the different countries of the world to come here and show the rest of the world the best that they've been able to produce and in that way give to all the world the combined effect of the results of the science and art of all parts of the world that's the idea back of the New York World's Fair the personality back of the World's Fair is Mr whan with that good idea we never could have gotten anywhere and we wouldn't be here enjoying this today had it not been for the personality of this great man The Honorable Grover whan who had the vision first to realize what this would mean to the world and then the courage to go out and raise the enormous amount of money that it has required to build this fair and to follow it through and do things that none of us believed could be done Mr whan has brought more important personalities here even up to the present time from other countries than many of us believe could be brought here during the whole Fair now to you people representing our organization I know that I I'm speaking what is in the hearts of all of you and what I said to Mr whan now what are you going to get out of it I know that many of you have expressed yourselves already as to the benefits you've received the educational value of this New York World's Fair go goes beyond anything that I've ever come in contact with along educational lines you can learn from books at any time and any place but ladies and gentlemen you have never had such an opportunity to learn from observation and contact with people as you're having right here in New York at the New York World Fair and I know you're going to take advantage of it and when you go back home to your respective parts of the United States and to the different parts of the world I know that you are going to convey to your relatives and your friends and the people that you come in contact with the great educational value of this New York World's Fair and you're going to urge upon them to to come and visit it not just to see New York not in order to take a trip not in order to promote the world's fair but in order that they may participate in this source of knowledge which you people have had an opportunity to participate in so that here we are an organization who are going out in the next few weeks to all parts of the world and we're going to carry this great story to all people and why do I stress that because my heart is full of this great world peace subject that means so much to all of us and without which there's no hope for any of us to go on and what you've seen here and what you can take home and what other people can get who come here will be a great step forward on this road to peace because it's through contact and understanding of each other and what we're able to do in our respective countries that we've got to pin Our Hope to peace on and nothing else so I know that you people I don't have to ask you to do this I know you're going to do it carry this great story to all corners of the Earth as a message from the New York World's Fair as an invitation for them to all come here and participate in this and make their contribution toward this cause of Peace which means more to us than anything else in the world I thank you very much I overlooked one very important thing I'll add a postcript to my speech when I get off on work piece I forget about everything else but I want to at this time extend to all of you as individuals and to all of the people who are listening in in connection with the IBM company my personal thanks and appreciation for the encouragement the cooperation and the able assistance that I have had from all of the people who've had their hearts in this business in the last 25 years since I took hold of it and it's a great source of satisfaction to me this morning to St stand here and speak of an organization of over 11,000 people and think 25 years ago that we had about 235 people when Mr Hastings and I made our first trip around the country and to realize what has been done not by me but by the people who have joined me in this organization and then to realize what you people and the ones who follow you are going to do during the next 25 50 75 and 100 years and so on because you know we do do not consider or think of the ibbm as a business as a corporation but the IBM is a great world institution that has a work to do and it's up to all of us to teach to the young people their mission in connection with promoting the IBM for the benefit of all people in the world thank you very much as I think you all know uh this was supposed to be a small event merely a preliminary caner this morning but when such Giants as Mr whan and Mr Watson get together there can't be a small event it must be a major event and they've started off today in the most auspicious manner possible uh this meeting will now come to close and we shall W our various Ways To The Music Hall and to the aquacade where the program starts promptly at 11:00 I think with the day's program now fairly underway president Watson and Mr nickel accompanied by Mr whan are escorted to the World's Fair Music Hall where the main ceremonies of the day are to be held once more we Glimpse the beauties of the fair and before us are some of the beautiful Pavilions in the court of states [Music] state of Washington New York Illinois West Virginia Florida Georgia Ohio Missouri New Jersey Texas New England among Industrial and Commercial exhibits the communications [Music] Billy Marine Transportation railroads on Parade [Music] a [Music] [Music] the good Rich Billy Firestone general motter [Music] for gas industri Chrysler United States Steel the petroleum Institute Aviation Food [Music] Industries General [Music] Electric westing house [Music] now we come to the Music Hall itself the more fully to appreciate the immensity of this spectacle we are now about to witness let's take a peep inside 2500 seats yet all to be occupied and by as distinguished an assemblage of guests as has ever graced any occasion of similar significance nor does this account for more than half of those who are now Gathering to hear the program for a New York State's great Stadium adjacent to the Music Hall an overflow Gathering of some 2,000 others are assembling to hear the speeches and music a vast unseen audience embracing IBM people all over the world will also listen in the radio facilities of Canadian networks and of the mutual broadcasting system are being employed as well as station W1 xal of the worldwide broadcasting Foundation of Boston and short wave station w2k of the Columbia broadcasting system the Watson party is arriving so let's return to the music hall now before us on the stage is seated from right to left Dr Nicholas Murray Butler president of Columbia University Mr whan Mr Watson Mr nickel and Mrs Vincent Aster behind them is the famous Philadelphia Orchestra with its noted leader Mr Eugene Army Mr Watson distinguished guests Dr buer ladies and gentlemen this opportunity affords me uh great happiness I've been asked to extend words of welcome on behalf of the New York World's Fair to the officers employees and guests of the International International Business Machines Corporation thanks to the radio hookups attend end in this meeting I can also extend a welcome to all the friends of the IBM on there in this country and in many other lands the fair Corporation as you know is honoring the International Business Machines Corporation and its president Mr Thomas J Watson by setting aside May 4th as IBM day we have met here on the exposition grounds in the Music Hall to consider a striking parallel that of the New York World's Fair and the International Business Machines Corporation as International educational and Goodwill institution you listeners By Radio will better understand this parallel when you have seen the IBM exhibit in the Great Hall over near the theme center of the fair the New York World's Fair is both the symbol and the product of international business and of the world's desire for a better understanding of international relations and further recognition of the interdependence of Nations it is an international meeting place where 60 odd Nations the League of Nations and the Pan-American Union are not only exhibiting their best products but where they are are exchanging their ideas and ideals the IBM Corporation I am told now transacts business in 79 countries of the world the citizens of those countries who are the members of the IBM family work together and compete for company recognition of individual achievement and business honors they also assemble in annual convention in the most friendly manner the IBM thus demonstrates in the most practical manner that there is no inherent antipathy between races and nationalities and that man can cooperate for the common welfare of all countries this is a vital contribution to the cause of international understanding and culture and in itself entitles IBM to be honored by the New York World's Fair both this International Exposition and this international business firm have been built on faith faith has inspired the office the engineers the designers and all other persons who have worked in creation of the fair likewise only faith in the inherent integrity of the majority of men and Nation could have served as a foundation for the growth of the IBM during the past 25 years from a small domestic manufacturing company to a worldwide Institution for the promotion of trade and human welfare fairs have long played an important part in the spread of knowledge and in the development of the industry and the Arts our Affair is the biggest and most forward looking of any hid for conceived surely it is one of the most heartening examples of the inter of international cooperation more than 85% of the world's population is here represented we estimate that the United States will have on display here about a qu of a billion dollars worth of products that will make us friends throughout the world we have assurance that the professional buyers of firms from all over the world as well as millions of consuming public will be in attendance at the fair our foreign Nation exhibitors have on display manufactured goods and art objects valued by the United States custom offices as well as well over $100 million it is simply impossible however to calculate the total value of the material exhibits here displayed since many of them are so rare and unique as to be quite Beyond money value perhaps even more important than the goods exhibited are the ideas that are displayed and it is this exchange of inspirational thought along the lines of trade art and culture that is invaluable in promoting International understanding what we need now is cooperation and Justice between individuals and between nations in the circumstances I feel sure that history will one day record that the New York World's Fair was an outstanding force in the 1900s in promoting International cooperation Cooperative effort and world peace now for the second pleasure afforded Me by this meeting I have the honor of introducing to you the presiding officer of the IBM day Mr Thomas J Watson but before doing so I am going to read a few of the messages that have come here for this meeting the first one I shall read comes for the from the chief executive of the city of the city of New York Mr Watson I am happy to have the opportunity to join in this well-merited tribute to one of New York's most public-spirited and forward-looking citizen without the cooperation and Earnest Endeavors of the great business interests of New York and the untiring efforts of those individuals who like yourselves gave unstintingly of their time and energy that the great World's Fair would not have been consummated it is particular particularly appropriate and fitting therefore that this day should be set aside as IBM day to honor a great industry and the man who has brought it to its present success with sincere personal and official greetings and good wishes I am sincerely yours FH lalia [Applause] mayam state of New York executive chamber Albany Dear Mr Watson I have noted that on May 4th the New York World's Fair will observe IBM day in honor of the International Business Machines Corporation and that the theme of the meeting arranged by the corporation will be peace with the peaceloving nations of the world striving so hard at this time to avert armed conflict it is both fitting and timely that your organization should use the I M day at the World's Fair as an occasion for emphasizing the benefits of peace and the destructiveness of War President Rosevelt Rec of all Americans for pointing out that while we in the United States are ever ready to promote World Peace at the same time we are prepared to resist political and and uh physical aggression my congratulations to you and your Associates and my best wishes for complete success of the occasion very sincerely yours Herbert H Leman [Applause] Governor from the national government the Secretary of Commerce Washington Dear Mr Watson it is a pleasure for me to be able to join others honoring you on IBM day for New York World's Fair in these troubled days with threats of War hanging over Europe Europe it is Thoroughly proper that we pay tribute to a business Statesmen who has served untiringly the cause of peace and goodwi in international relations you have done this not only as an individual but also as The Guiding influence of a worldwide business organization which has maintained the highest standards of business conduct both here and abroad I am also well familiar with your contributions in the realm of Public Service as a past member of the business advisory Council for the Department of Commerce and chairman of its foreign trade committee you gave the government the same untiring effort that has characterized your work as a proponent of peace I regard very much I regret very much rather that I am unable to attend the ceremonies at the fair and extend my very good wishes to you personally sincerely yours Harry Hopkins Secretary of Commerce from the Secretary of State I am glad to send this message of greeting to you who are assembled in celebration of the IBM day which has been dedicated to the cause of Peace the government of the United States supported by an alert public opinion is endeavoring to employ the best methods for bringing about enduring peace the utilization of every means of economic Rehabilitation the adherence to the basic principles of international law the observance of treaties the exercise of self-restraint and the furtherance of the freest possible intellectual interchange between nations are fundamental and essential points in this program this government is carrying on a determined effort to promote economic appeasement and security through making possible the expansion of international trade along lines of constructive peaceful effort and upon the friendly and universally beneficial basis of equal treatment this policy is being followed in The Firm belief that only by a healthy International Trade can a full and stable domestic economy be guaranteed it has been encouraging and gratifying to note the wide support which the business interest this country have given to this policy every citizen has a grave responsibility in these days when menacing development seriously jeopardizing peace in any parts of the world I confidently believe that the policy of Economics economic stability through the lowering or the removal of barriers to international trade and the application of the principle of equality of commercial treatment if generally supported would be an inevitable Prelude to permanent peace signed Cordell Hall Secretary of [Applause] State IBM day at this International Exposition commemorates the 25th anniversary of Tom wats Watson's fful leadership during that period he has developed a small uh business organization into an in institution whose interests are worldwide and which operate under the slogan world peace through World Trade let me give you an example of how Mr Watson conducts his Affairs an example that you can see for yourselves in that Great Hall over near the theme Center he has set up a mighty imposing display of his Corporation products a display including such features as an IBM machine rotating within its Crystal B glow in a fountain then when he had that done he installed an art gallery and a pipe or this most comprehensive uh collection of paintings ever shown in one gallery has justified in I has justification in the IBM history each one of the 79 paintings selected by a non nonpartisan jury in one of the countries where the IBM does business of this Priceless display of paintings Mr Watson say it is our opinion that Mutual benefit would result if the interests of business in art and of artists in business should be increased that will give you some idea of the man Tom Watson as president of the international Chamber of Commerce as Trustee of the conie foundation for International Peace and and as chairman of the interamerican commercial arbitration commission his Dynamic personality vision and ability have brought him into World prominence by reason of his championship for those causes that make Ram peace and Accord among nations