University of Pisa and Olivetti, 1954-1961: parallel stories of early Italian computers

Between 1954 and 1961, the University of Pisa and Olivetti were protagonists in the building of the first Italian computers. In two independent projects, which, in addition to the period, share a lot in terms of locations, research and resources, five machines were developed: CEP I and II, Elea 9001, 9002 and 9003, the latter mass-produced. By joining two speeches originally conceived as distinct ones, the history of the two projects is here chronologically presented highlighting points of contact and divergences.