# Thought as the Father of Advance by Thomas J. Watson Sr. > “Thought has been the father of every advance since time began. ‘I didn’t think’ has cost the world millions of dollars.” > **— Thomas J. Watson Sr.**, *Simple Reminders on Real American Pride* ## Sources and Context - **Direct or authoritative text:** [THINK — IBM History](https://www.ibm.com/history/think) - **Series source and editorial context:** [[american/American Ethos - Simple Reminders on Real American Pride|Simple Reminders on Real American Pride]] — entry 052, “Thought as the Father of Advance.” - **Why it belongs:** Thoughtfulness appears as both the engine of progress and a duty against preventable loss. ## Related Articles and Collections - **Collection:** [[collections/Simple Reminders|Simple Reminders]] - **Collection:** [[collections/American|American Collection]] - **Series source:** [[american/American Ethos - Simple Reminders on Real American Pride|Simple Reminders on Real American Pride]] - **American route:** [[american/American Ethos - Langley, Armonk, and the Corridor|Langley, Armonk, and the Corridor]] - **American route:** [[american/American Character - Value 04 - Responsibility|Responsibility]] ## Related Topics - [[wiki/American Invention|American Invention]] ## Share on Social Media ``` “Thought has been the father of every advance since time began. ‘I didn’t think’ has cost the world millions of dollars.” — Thomas J. Watson Sr., Simple Reminders on Real American Pride https://bryantmcgill.com/simple-reminders-real-american-pride-052-thought-as-the-father-of-advance ```