International Business Machines Corporation (IBM), often simply referred to as IBM, is a globally recognized American multinational technology corporation with a rich history spanning over a century. Headquartered in Armonk, New York, IBM's extensive operations reach across more than 171 countries, solidifying its position as a true pioneer and leader in the global technology landscape.

The Enduring Legacy of IBM: From Early Computing to Global Innovation

The company's journey began in 1911, founded in Endicott, New York, by the visionary trust businessman Charles Ranlett Flint. Initially known as the Computing-Tabulating-Recording Company (CTR), this entity brought together several key technologies of the era, including Herman Hollerith's tabulating machines, which were instrumental in processing the U.S. census. In a pivotal moment for its international expansion and brand identity, CTR was formally renamed "International Business Machines" in 1924, a name that perfectly encapsulated its evolving global ambitions and diverse product offerings.

What Products and Services Does IBM Offer?

IBM is a comprehensive technology provider, producing and selling a wide array of computer hardware, sophisticated middleware, and advanced software solutions. Beyond physical products, the company offers extensive hosting services and expert consulting across a vast technological spectrum. This ranges from the powerful and mission-critical mainframe computers – which continue to be the backbone for many large enterprises and governments – to cutting-edge research and applications in areas like nanotechnology, artificial intelligence, and quantum computing.

IBM's Unparalleled Contribution to Innovation and Research

As a formidable research organization, IBM holds an exceptional record for innovation. For an impressive 28 consecutive years, as of 2020, IBM has generated the most annual U.S. patents by any business, underscoring its continuous commitment to advancing technology. This dedication to research has led to numerous groundbreaking inventions that have profoundly shaped the modern world:

• Automated Teller Machine (ATM): Revolutionizing banking by providing convenient access to cash.
• Floppy Disk: A seminal portable data storage medium that was ubiquitous for decades.
• Hard Disk Drive: The fundamental technology for storing vast amounts of digital data within computers.
• Magnetic Stripe Card: Enabling technologies for credit cards, debit cards, and identification.
• Relational Database: A foundational data management model that underpins much of today's enterprise software.
• SQL Programming Language: The standard language for managing and querying relational databases.
• UPC Barcode: Transforming retail and supply chain management through efficient product identification.
• Dynamic Random-Access Memory (DRAM): A crucial component of computer memory, essential for processing information.

The IBM mainframe, notably exemplified by the iconic System/360 series launched in 1964, stands as a testament to IBM's historical dominance. The System/360 was a revolutionary family of compatible computers that could run the same software across a range of models, a concept that transformed the computing industry and made it the prevailing computing platform throughout the 1960s and 1970s.

IBM's Global Economic Footprint

IBM's influence extends far beyond its technological innovations. It is one of the select 30 companies included in the prestigious Dow Jones Industrial Average, a stock market index representing 30 large, publicly owned companies based in the United States. Furthermore, with a global workforce exceeding 345,000 employees as of 2020, IBM ranks among the world's largest employers, reflecting its significant economic and social impact worldwide.

Garry Kimovich Kasparov (born Garik Kimovich Weinstein on April 13, 1963) is a legendary figure in the world of chess and a prominent voice in contemporary political discourse. A Russian chess grandmaster, former World Chess Champion, prolific writer, ardent political activist, and insightful commentator, Kasparov's career is marked by unparalleled achievements and a fierce commitment to his beliefs.

Garry Kasparov: A Chess Legend's Unrivaled Dominance

Kasparov's command over the chessboard established him as one of the greatest players of all time. His peak rating of 2851, achieved in 1999, stood as the highest recorded rating in chess history for an impressive 14 years until it was eventually surpassed by Magnus Carlsen in 2013. Beyond ratings, Kasparov's reign as the world's top-ranked player was unprecedented. From 1984 until his retirement from professional chess in 2005, he held the world No. 1 ranking for a staggering total of 255 months, a record that remains unsurpassed by any other player, past or present.

His list of achievements extends to other remarkable records:

• Most Consecutive Professional Tournament Victories: A formidable 15 consecutive tournament wins.
• Chess Oscars: An impressive 11 Chess Oscars, awarded annually to the best chess player.

Becoming the Youngest World Chess Champion

In a historic showdown in 1985, Kasparov, at just 22 years old, defeated the then-reigning champion Anatoly Karpov to become the youngest ever undisputed World Chess Champion. This victory not only launched a new era in chess but also ignited one of the sport's most famous rivalries. He successfully defended his official FIDE world title until 1993. However, a significant dispute with FIDE (Fédération Internationale des Échecs), the international chess federation, led him to break away and establish a rival organization, the Professional Chess Association (PCA). This split created two parallel world championships for a period, complicating the unified title.

The Historic Confrontation with Deep Blue

Perhaps one of the most widely publicized moments of Kasparov's career, and a landmark event in the history of artificial intelligence, occurred in 1997. In a highly anticipated match, he became the first reigning world chess champion to lose a match to a computer under standard time controls. His opponent was Deep Blue, a sophisticated chess-playing supercomputer developed by IBM. This defeat sparked global discussions about the future of AI and human-machine interaction, highlighting the rapidly advancing capabilities of artificial intelligence and challenging the notion of human intellectual supremacy in chess.

Retirement from Chess and Transition to Activism

Kasparov continued to hold the "Classical" World Chess Championship (the title associated with the PCA and subsequent organizations) until his defeat by Vladimir Kramnik in 2000. Despite losing the official title, he remained a dominant force, continuing to win numerous tournaments and maintaining his position as the world's highest-rated player when he announced his retirement from professional chess in 2005.

Following his departure from professional chess, Kasparov fully dedicated his formidable intellect and energy to politics and writing. He became a prominent critic of the Russian government, founding the United Civil Front movement and joining The Other Russia, a broad opposition coalition specifically challenging the administration and policies of Vladimir Putin.

In 2008, Kasparov expressed his intention to run as a candidate in the Russian presidential race. However, his campaign encountered substantial logistical problems, which he publicly attributed to "official obstruction," ultimately forcing him to withdraw. The political climate in Russia intensified, and in the wake of the mass protests that began in 2011, Kasparov announced in 2013 his decision to leave Russia for the foreseeable future, citing fears of political persecution. After his departure, he resided in New York City with his family. In 2014, he was granted Croatian citizenship and maintains a residence in Podstrana, near Split, Croatia.

Kasparov's Continued Advocacy for Democracy and Human Rights

Today, Garry Kasparov remains a powerful advocate for human rights and liberal democracy globally. He serves as the influential chairman of the Human Rights Foundation and chairs its International Council, actively championing freedom and justice worldwide. In 2017, he founded the Renew Democracy Initiative (RDI), an American political organization dedicated to promoting and defending liberal democratic values both within the U.S. and internationally, where he serves as chairman. Additionally, Kasparov lends his expertise as a Security Ambassador for the software company Avast, further extending his influence across different sectors.

Frequently Asked Questions About IBM and Garry Kasparov

When was IBM founded and what was its original name?

IBM was founded in 1911 in Endicott, New York. It was originally known as the Computing-Tabulating-Recording Company (CTR) before being renamed International Business Machines in 1924.

What are some key inventions attributed to IBM?

IBM has invented numerous technologies that have profoundly impacted daily life, including the Automated Teller Machine (ATM), the floppy disk, the hard disk drive, the magnetic stripe card, the relational database, the SQL programming language, the UPC barcode, and dynamic random-access memory (DRAM).

Where is IBM headquartered and how many countries does it operate in?

IBM is headquartered in Armonk, New York, and operates in over 171 countries worldwide.

What is Garry Kasparov's highest chess rating and when did he achieve it?

Garry Kasparov achieved a peak FIDE rating of 2851 in 1999, which was the highest recorded rating until surpassed by Magnus Carlsen in 2013.

For how long did Kasparov hold the world No. 1 ranking in chess?

Kasparov held the world No. 1 ranking for a record 255 months overall during his career, from 1984 until his retirement in 2005.

What was the significance of Garry Kasparov's match against IBM's Deep Blue?

In 1997, Garry Kasparov became the first reigning world chess champion to lose a match to a computer, IBM's Deep Blue, under standard time controls. This event was a major milestone in the development of artificial intelligence and garnered immense global attention.

What is Garry Kasparov involved in since retiring from professional chess?

Since retiring, Kasparov has become a prominent political activist, writer, and commentator. He chairs the Human Rights Foundation and the Renew Democracy Initiative (RDI), an organization promoting liberal democracy. He is also a Security Ambassador for Avast.