Hacker News new | past | comments | ask | show | jobs | submit login

They did make many sales to the Nazis, of computers as well as whatever software stuff that went along with that, including stuff designed to support their Jew/+ extermination operations. I recall it from an article (on HN?) some time ago about U.S. companies that helped the Nazis. But there's tons of stuff about it on Google.



of computers as well as whatever software stuff that went along with that

Well, that is categorically wrong, given the history of computing.

But anyway, the implication in the previous comment was that IBM were built on the business of exterminating Jews, which is frankly ridiculous given that they started business 30 years before the Nazi party even came to power.

Note, I'm not claiming IBM didn't get involve with the nazis. The German subsidiary certainly did business with the Nazis, including with their processing of Jews and minorities. Thomas J Watson even received an award from them. But, IIRC, he realised he'd been set up as a publicity stunt and gave it back. Once the war started, the German subsidiary bought themselves out and became independent.

It should be noted that IBM in the US has a history of introducing policies ensuring equality and diversity in employment that precede similar federal legislation, sometimes by decades.

And yet it's only the Nazis thing everyone brings up.




Guidelines | FAQ | Lists | API | Security | Legal | Apply to YC | Contact

Search: