J. Presper Eckert
Co-inventor of ENIAC and UNIVAC, the first general-purpose electronic computers in the US
- Lived
- 76 yrs
- 1919 – 1995
- Works listed
- 2
- Computer
- Honours
- 3
- Most recent 1980
- Profile views
- 4
- 0 followers
J. Presper Eckert was an American engineer who, with John Mauchly, designed ENIAC at the University of Pennsylvania, the first general-purpose electronic digital computer. They then founded the first commercial computer company and built UNIVAC I.
Biography
Early life
Eckert grew up in Philadelphia and studied electrical engineering at the University of Pennsylvania’s Moore School.
ENIAC
In 1943 the US Army funded a proposal by Mauchly and Eckert to build an electronic calculator for artillery firing tables. Eckert, the chief engineer, made its 17,468 vacuum tubes reliable by running them below their rated power. ENIAC was completed in 1945 and unveiled in 1946; it was about a thousand times faster than electromechanical machines.
UNIVAC
Leaving the university in a patent dispute, Eckert and Mauchly founded the Eckert–Mauchly Computer Corporation in 1946. Their UNIVAC I, delivered to the US Census Bureau in 1951, was the first commercial computer produced in the United States. The company was bought by Remington Rand.
Later life
Eckert stayed with Remington Rand and its successor Sperry, holding more than 80 patents. He received the National Medal of Science in 1969 and died in 1995.
Timeline
-
1919
Born in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, United States
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1943
ENIAC project begins
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1946
ENIAC unveiled; co-founds his company
-
1949
BINAC completed
-
1950
Company sold to Remington Rand
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1951
UNIVAC I delivered
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1952
UNIVAC predicts Eisenhower’s election win
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1969
National Medal of Science
-
1995
Died, aged 76
Notable works
-
1945
ENIAC Computer
With John Mauchly.
-
1951
UNIVAC I Computer
Awards and honours
-
Howard N. Potts Medal
1949
-
National Medal of Science
1969
-
Computer Pioneer Award
1980
Did you know?
-
1
ENIAC weighed about 27 tonnes and filled a large room.
-
2
On election night 1952 UNIVAC correctly predicted Eisenhower’s landslide on CBS television.
-
3
A 1973 court ruling invalidated the ENIAC patent, citing John Atanasoff’s earlier work.
Connections
Related people
Frequently asked
Who is J. Presper Eckert?
J. Presper Eckert was an American engineer who, with John Mauchly, designed ENIAC at the University of Pennsylvania, the first general-purpose electronic digital computer. They then founded the first commercial computer company and built UNIVAC I.
When did J. Presper Eckert die?
J. Presper Eckert died on 3 June 1995 at the age of 76.
Where is J. Presper Eckert from?
J. Presper Eckert was born in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, United States.
What is J. Presper Eckert known for?
J. Presper Eckert is best known for ENIAC (1945); UNIVAC I; co-founding the first computer company with John Mauchly.
What awards has J. Presper Eckert received?
Notable honours include Howard N. Potts Medal (1949), National Medal of Science (1969), Computer Pioneer Award (1980).
References
- J. Presper Eckert — Wikipedia. Wikipedia. Retrieved 4 November 2026.
- J. Presper Eckert — Britannica. Encyclopaedia Britannica. Retrieved 4 November 2026.
- J. Presper Eckert (Q457906) — structured data. Wikidata. Retrieved 4 November 2026.
Includes material from the Wikipedia article “J. Presper Eckert”, licensed under CC BY-SA 4.0. That text is available under the same licence. Learn more
External links
About this profile
- Researched by the TrackFame editorial team; reviewed by Sanjay Sokal under our editorial policy
- First published 4 November 2026
- Last updated
Cite this page
“J. Presper Eckert.” TrackFame, last updated 5 November 2026. https://trackfame.com/person/j-presper-eckert
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