Spectrum package prices12/24/2023 Keeping the cost low was essential for Sinclair to avoid his products from becoming outpriced by American or Japanese equivalents as had happened to several of the previous Sinclair Radionics products. Encouraged by this success, Sinclair renamed his company to Sinclair Research, and started looking to manufacture personal computers. By this time inexpensive microprocessors had started appearing on the market, which prompted Sinclair to start producing the MK14, a computer teaching kit which sold well at a very low price. He had a former employee, Christopher Curry, establish a "corporate lifeboat" company named Science of Cambridge Ltd, in July 1977, called such as they were located near the University of Cambridge. Īfter incurring a £7 million investment loss, Sinclair was given a golden handshake and an estimated £10,000 severance package. Sinclair's relationship with the NEB had worsened, however, and by 1979 it opted to break up Sinclair Radionics entirely, selling off its television division to Binatone and its calculator division to ESL Bristol. Due to financial losses, Sinclair sought investors from the National Enterprise Board (NEB), who had bought a 43% interest in the company and streamlined his product line. By the mid 1970s, Sinclair Radionics was producing handheld electronic calculators, miniature televisions, and the ill-fated digital Black Watch wristwatch. In 1972, Sinclair had competed with Texas Instruments to produce the world's first pocket calculator, the Sinclair Executive. On 25 July 1961, three years after passing his A-levels, he founded Sinclair Radionics Ltd as a vehicle to advertise his inventions and buy components. The ZX Spectrum was conceived and designed by English entrepreneur and inventor Clive Sinclair, who was well known for his eccentricity and pioneering ethic. History Background Sir Clive Sinclair riding an X-Bike prototype in 1990. The machine was officially discontinued in 1992. It remains Britain's best-selling computer. It was among the first home computers aimed at a mainstream audience, with some crediting it as being responsible for launching the British information technology industry. Its introduction led to a boom in companies producing software and hardware, the effects of which are still seen. The ZX Spectrum played a pivotal role in the early history of personal computing and video gaming, leaving an enduring legacy that influenced generations. Over 24,000 different software titles were released for the ZX Spectrum. Not counting unofficial clones, the machine sold over 5 million units worldwide. Throughout its life, the machine primarily competed with the Commodore 64, BBC Micro, Dragon 32, and the Amstrad CPC range. Ultimately the Spectrum was released as six different models, ranging from the entry level with 16 KB RAM released in 1982 to the ZX Spectrum +3 with 128 KB RAM and built-in floppy disk drive in 1987. It was released in the United States as the Timex Sinclair 2068 in 1983, and in some parts of Europe as the Timex Computer 2048. It was initially distributed through mail order, but after severe backlogs the machine was sold through High Street chains in the United Kingdom. Video output is transmitted to a television set rather than a dedicated monitor, while software is loaded and saved onto compact audio cassettes. Its distinctive case, rainbow motif and rubber keyboard were designed by Rick Dickinson. The addendum 'Spectrum' was chosen to highlight the machine's colour display, which differed from the black and white display of its predecessor, the ZX81. It was designed to be small, simple, and most importantly inexpensive, with as few components as possible. Referred to during development as the ZX81 Colour, the ZX Spectrum was designed by a small team in Cambridge. The machine was the brainchild of English entrepreneur and inventor Sir Clive Sinclair. Many official and unofficial clones were released around the world in the following years, most notably in Europe, the United States, and Eastern Bloc countries. It was first released in the United Kingdom on 23 April 1982. The ZX Spectrum ( UK: / z ɛ d ɛ k s/) is an 8-bit home computer developed and marketed by Sinclair Research. PAL RF modulator out, 256 x 192, 15 colours
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