Final answer:
The Univac I became the first commercially successful computer after predicting the 1952 Presidential election, with over 40 units sold. Its success marked a significant milestone in the evolution of computing technology, leading to the proliferation of personal computers in later years.
Step-by-step explanation:
The early computer that became commercially successful after accurately predicting the 1952 Presidential election results was the Univac I. Developed by the Remington Rand Corporation, it was delivered to the US Census Bureau in 1951. More than 40 Univac I computers were sold, with each selling for over a million dollars, signaling the birth of commercially successful large-scale computers. This event helped establish computers as reliable tools for data analysis and prediction, thereby fueling their adoption in government and business sectors. By the 1960s, the cost of these computers had decreased while their capabilities had increased, leading to a wider distribution of approximately 12,000 units across various industries by 1970.
The legacy of the Univac I along with subsequent advancements such as the invention of the microchip paved the way for the rise of personal computers in the late 1970s and early 1980s. Companies like Apple, Commodore, and Tandy began offering fully assembled personal computers, making them more accessible to the general public and laying the groundwork for the technological revolution that continues to evolve today.