When IBM Was The Center Of Gravity Learning about IBM in the context of the early history of the computer industry has the same shock value as watching┬а Star Wars: A New Hope┬аfor the first time: "That's no moon. It's a space station." Consider: In 1953, UNIVAC was basically the only company selling computers commercially. By 1956, IBM's market share in computers was 85%. In the late 70s and early 80s, after several industry transitions, the entry of smaller and more agile competitors like DEC and Control Data as well as larger and more resourceful ones like GE and Exxon, IBM's market share was┬а