Happy to finally be able to post the link to the Thomas J. Watson Library exhibit on display at the Louis V. Gerstner Center for Learning in Armonk, NY.
Thomas Watson’s library was located in IBM’s original corporate headquarters in New York City at 590 Madison Avenue. The building opened in 1938 and served as the company’s world headquarters, housing all executive functions and regional sales offices until the company relocated its headquarters to Armonk, New York in 1964. The library itself remained intact until 2024, when IBM moved to its new New York flagship at One Madison Avenue.
The process of preserving and moving the library to its new home has been a complicated one, involving the talents of many creative people.
My contribution to the library page is a tiny one. I was brought in to shoot a 360-degree photo of the site. It was an educational experience. I may have just found a new side gig as a real estate photographer.
The following is borrowed from the web page.
“To Thomas Watson, an ever-curious man who revered education, invention and personal betterment, a library was a sacred space. The room you see here, from its original furniture and rare books to the color of the stain on the woodwork, re-creates his treasured IBM library as it appeared in Manhattan in 1938. Its arched bookshelf has been seen worldwide, having served as the backdrop for Watson’s iconic “THINK” portrait by renowned photographer Yousuf Karsh.
This exhibit sets the stage for the story of Thomas Watson, the creator of business systems and cultural dedication; the educator who championed human potential; and the catalyst whose legacy has served as a launchpad for innovation.”
To add a little technical detail, the camera used was the Insta360 X5.
The camera allows you to film in every direction at once, then pick your favorite angle later. The X5 captures sharp, clear video and photos — even in low light — and keeps footage smooth without needing a gimbal. It’s waterproof, tough, and built to keep going all day, with lenses you can swap out yourself if one gets scratched.
For real estate, it’s a great fit too: one shot captures an entire room, making it easy to create immersive 360° walkthroughs and virtual tours without stitching multiple photos together.
