Final answer:
The first digital computer was invented towards the end of World War II and was initially large and expensive. The invention of the microprocessor in 1971 by Texas Instruments and Intel was critical for the development of personal computers. This led to the creation and success of companies like Apple and the wider availability of computers to the general public.
Step-by-step explanation:
The first digital computer was developed towards the end of World War II and played a significant role in automating calculations for military and business applications. Initially, these computers were monumental in size and cost, limiting their access to universities, businesses, and the military. As technology progressed, particularly with the advent of the transistor and later the microchip, computing power increased while size and cost decreased.
This evolution led to the microprocessor, a single-chip computer processor, which was invented around 1971 independently by Texas Instruments and Intel. This innovation paved the way for the personal computer revolution, with the release of the Altair 8800 in 1975, and significantly shaped by the contributions of the Apple Computer company co-founded by Steve Jobs in 1976, leading to the popular Apple II.