Given the recent discussion on early Fortran implementations and other historical stuff on IBMVM, you folks may want to hunt down the current issue of the IEEE Annals of the History of Computing (volume 35, #4). This issue contains a really good article on industry approaches in the early days of the commercial computing industry, but also contains two other articles worth reading: one on the early development of compilers and programming languages at IBM Europe location (discussing a lot of the origins of structured languages like PL/1 and PL/M, and the origins of the various Fortran and COBOL compilers), and second, a close look at the training and engagement model for sales people used by IBM up until very recently. The articles are not freely downloadable, but they're worth the effort to obtain.
The second article would be good required reading for the current IBM management team. It has a lot to say about what IBM used to be, and what might yet save them from themselves. Article references: Endres, Albert. "Early Language and Compiler Developments at IBM Europe: A Personal Retrospection", in /IEEE Annals of the History of Computing/, v.35, #4 (Oct-Dec, 2013), pp 18-30. Cortada, James W. "'Carrying a Bag': Memoirs of and IBM Salesman, 1974-1981", in /IEEE Annals of the History of Computing/, v35, #4 (Oct-Dec, 2013) , pp 32-47. ---------------------------------------------------------------------- For IBM-MAIN subscribe / signoff / archive access instructions, send email to lists...@listserv.ua.edu with the message: INFO IBM-MAIN
