For more than two years, it has been apparent in
the IBM Company that we were behind in the large
scientific area. This is an area where, since the
days of our Harvard machine, we have attempted to
lead. Although four or five years ago there was some
doubt as to whether or not we should continue to try
to lead in this area because of the expense and other
considerations, at some point between two and three
years ago it became evident that the fallout from the
building of such large-scale machines was so great
as to justify their continuance at almost any cost.

        -- T.J. Watson, Jr.
           May 17, 1965