"Terrible Tommy," the oldest son of IBM's founder, was notorious for his mischievous childhood antics in Short Hills, a small town near New York. His father, Thomas Watson Sr., rose from humble beginnings, starting his career selling pianos and sewing machines from a wagon. He later joined a struggling company, Computing-Tabulating-Recording (CTR), which he transformed into the successful IBM. Despite his business acumen, Thomas Sr. was a disaster in domestic settings, leaving most household chores to his wife. Meanwhile, their son, Thomas Jr., struggled acadically but developed a passion for flying. Despite his lackluster performance in school, Thomas Jr. was expected to join and eventually lead IBM, a prospect that seemed unlikely given his interests and abilities.
In Short Hills, 20 miles from New York, locals called the IBM founder's eldest son "Terrible Tommy" for his mischief. Notably, he poured skunk essence into the school's air conditioning, causing an evacuation. His father, Thomas Watson Sr., a school board member, was mortified. Considering physical discipline for the first time, Watson Sr. ultimately let Tom go, warning him that the world would discipline him, calling him "you little skunk!"
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