[scott_s]

Unfortunately, the relationship was not as indirect. See Edwin Black's book on the issue: http://www.ibmandtheholocaust.com/ The evidence Black presents that there was knowledge at high levels about what was going on is disturbing but convincing. I am an IBM employee, and I made myself read the book because I felt it was something I should know about.

[bumped]

The internet brings people closer to facts than they have ever been in history; yet no proximity will ever exceed what you already believe to be true. IBM knowingly participated, and apologized only a few years ago, but never returned any of the profits. The distinction made throughout the responses here is that IBM knew nothing so are as non-culpable as someone who invents a weapon or a utility that is later weaponized. This is untrue, as you read, but that disbelief is part of what allowed the holocaust to continue. I read a narrative once of someone who was watching World War I brew, describing it as a non-event that would not transpire because he could not imagine people with top hats engaging in the brutish behaviors of their predecessors.