Eckert-Mauchly Computer Corporation Engineering Group, 1949. WHO? UNIVAC I UNIVAC was the brainchild of two men from the University of Pennsylvania, John Mauchly and J. Presper Eckert, Jr. During World War II, they had designed and built ENIAC, the first electronic computer in the U.S. Their experience with ENIAC led them to believe that computers could become an important tool not just for scientists, but for businesses. They started their first computer company before the computer industry even existed. Photo courtesy of the Hagley Museum and Library.