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The first commercial computers in the United States were built by companies better known for typewriters, punched-card machines and adding machines. Their factories, and the towns around them, shaped the industry that followed.
Last meaningful change Oct 10, 2026, 4:00 AM · 8 milestones · 1 updates · 3 articles
The first commercial computers in the United States were built by companies better known for typewriters, punched-card machines and adding machines. Their factories, and the towns around them, shaped the industry that followed.
Between 1946 and 1955 the electronic computer moved from a wartime laboratory project to a product sold to government agencies and corporations. The decisive commercial steps were taken by Remington Rand, which bought the two most important start-ups of the era and sold the UNIVAC, and by its 1955 merger partner Sperry. This story follows the people, places and documents of that transition.
Documented milestones are dated and sourced. Items marked illustrative belong to the demonstration scenario.
· Origin
The Electronic Numerical Integrator and Computer is publicly demonstrated at the University of Pennsylvania.
Source: Computer History Museum
· Milestone
The Eckert-Mauchly Computer Corporation delivers the BINAC to Northrop Aircraft, the first computer sold commercially in the United States.
· Turning point
Short of money, the Eckert-Mauchly Computer Corporation is acquired by Remington Rand, giving the start-up the capital to finish UNIVAC.
· Milestone
The first UNIVAC passes acceptance tests and is turned over to the U.S. Census Bureau. It is formally dedicated in June.
Source: U.S. Census Bureau History
· Milestone
On election night, a UNIVAC projects an Eisenhower landslide from early returns. Broadcasters hesitate to air the forecast, which proves correct.
· Milestone
The St. Paul, Minnesota computer firm joins Remington Rand, bringing drum memory expertise and a second manufacturing base.
· Milestone
Remington Rand merges with Sperry Corporation. The computer business continues under the UNIVAC name.
· Milestone
After a takeover battle, Sperry merges with Burroughs to form Unisys, ending the UNIVAC corporate lineage.
Each entry says what actually changed, not a rewritten summary.
History Desk feature published
Our feature on the factories of the early computer industry is now available, with an interactive timeline and a list of archives holding corporate records.
Read: The Factories That Built the Computer AgeThe first commercial computer weighed about thirteen tons, used more than five thousand vacuum tubes and was sold by a typewriter company. Forty-six were built. The age they began has not ended.
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