David Caminer OBE (26 June 1915 – 19 June 2008)[1] was a British computer engineer who helped to develop the world's first business computer, LEO (Lyons Electronic Office).
In March 1943 Caminer lost a leg at the Battle of Mareth, whilst serving with the Green Howards in Tunisia.
[2] Caminer worked generally in the area of operations management and cost accounting.
He chose to complete his formal career in the field as project director for the implementation of the computer and communications network for the European Economic Community, where he developed a computer system for the European Common Market.
[citation needed] As Caminer himself pointed out, the LEO story highlights important characteristics of the history of innovation in computing technology, including the complex roles of government funding and university research; the frequent failure of technically advanced products to enjoy commercial success; the importance for commercial success in business computing of firm-level capabilities in related technologies; and the interaction between organizational and technological change in the adoption of business computing systems.