Interesting to note the question had the answer all along. How would a modest effort outrun a vast organisation?

I never imagined he’d be caught by that mistake.

Cray's reply was sardonic: "It seems like Mr. Watson has answered his own question."

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/CDC_6600

He wasn't. The CDC 6600 cost IBM some prestige, but it didn't put a dent in IBM's sales, which were about to skyrocket due to the 360 series.