40 Years Later: Watch President Reagan’s Tour of IBM Endicott
It has been four decades since President Ronald Reagan visited Endicott for a reelection campaign rally and a tour of the "Birthplace of IBM."
Reagan's stop in Broome County was part of an effort to seek support from voters in upstate New York in his race against Democrat Walter Mondale.
Before speaking to a large crowd at Union-Endicott High School, the president stopped at the IBM manufacturing complex a few blocks away. He heard a presentation about the history of the site and some of the work currently being done by the 15,000 IBM employees in the region.
Patrick Toole, who oversaw IBM's Systems Technology Division, told Reagan the company was preparing to expand its operations at the Endicott site. He said "we're planning and growing for the future," noting ground had just been broken for three new buildings.
Reagan received a glimpse of the IBM'S new XT/370 personal computer, which wasn't publicly announced until the next month. He also was shown what Toole described "as the most-advanced technology in the world."
The tour of the IBM site lasted about 30 minutes. The presidential motorcade then traveled from North Street to the high school on East Main Street.
Reagan was greeted by about 20,000 people at Ty Cobb Stadium behind the school.
The crowd erupted with cheers when Reagan mentioned "Endicott" in his speech, which was written by Vestal High School graduate Peter Robinson. There was some laughter when the president stumbled when he initially mispronounced Binghamton as "Bingamin."
Most of those who attended the campaign rally appeared to be enthusiastic supporters of Reagan, although there were a few protesters in attendance. In his diary for that day, the president wrote: "There were a few dissidents but they were almost invisible in that crowd."
Reagan concluded: "I’m amazed at the enthusiasm & the high percentage of young people at these gatherings."
WATCH: President Ronald Reagan tours the IBM Endicott site on September 12, 1984.
Contact WNBF News reporter Bob Joseph: bob@wnbf.com. For breaking news and updates on developing stories, follow @BinghamtonNow on Twitter.
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Gallery Credit: RACHEL CAVANAUGH