Early IBM Ephemera -- Technological Innovation, Civil Rights and Equal Opportunity in the 1950s and 1960s

United States: IBM, 1960. Very good. Light dust soiling, rubbing, nicks/tears to envelope.. A group of promotional ephemera for IBM collected by an employee, Vincent Palmer (1911-2009), in the 1950s and 1960s. In total there are seven (7) items, including three (3) issues of The IBM Magazine issued between Oct 10 and Nov 25, 1969; two (2) issues of IBM Business Machines issued in March and April 1956; a 1950's brochure guide for employees on the "Suggestion Plan", which allows all employees to submit suggestions to improve business and research; and an original Suggestion Form in original envelope. It is fascinating to see how quickly the company was growing during this period, and how it promoted itself to its employees and the general public. One of the more interesting articles in Nov. 25, 1969 issue of "The IBM Magazine" is titled "What Does 'Equal' Mean in IBM?" and shows readers how "Whites and blacks view the company from different angles, but both want to improve race relations". It states frankly that the company has a long way to go in terms of equal opportunity, and that "Despite many signs of progress, some blacks are still critical of the company" (p. 5), and that there are "no black marketing directors, few black branch managers, and no blacks in positions in the company who carry weight in tough mainline decisions" (p. 5). It goes on to highlight its efforts to fix the issue and provide job training to current and prospective employees, and ends with a call to action for employees to assist in the company's mission to improve equity in the workplace. Am absorbing look into how one of the world's foremost technology companies embraced the civil rights movement in real time. Other interesting articles cover management advancement and promotion news, company expansion news, and improving productivity. One of the items (IBM Magazine Oct 27, 1969) remains uncut and unread. Largest item in this group measures approx. 13" by 11