LEO (computer)

LEO, which stood for Lyons Electronic Office, was a series of computers designed and built by J. Lyons and Co. in the United Kingdom. It is considered to be one of the earliest examples of using computers for business applications.

The first LEO computer, LEO I, was inspired by the Electronic Delay Storage Automatic Calculator (EDSAC) developed at the University of Cambridge. Lyons had representatives attend EDSAC lectures and demonstrations, leading them to pursue building their own computer for business tasks.

LEO I became operational in 1951 and was initially used to calculate the valuations for the Lyons teashops, a complex logistical problem. Its success led to the development of LEO II, a more powerful and commercially available machine. LEO III followed, utilizing transistors instead of vacuum tubes.

The LEO computers were significant in the history of computing, demonstrating the viability of electronic computers for handling large-scale administrative and business processes. The LEO project eventually led to the formation of LEO Computers Ltd., a company that sold computers and related services to other organizations.