Sir Clive Sinclair, the inventor of the popular ZX Spectrum computer, died yesterday aged 81 from a prolonged illness.
In the early 70s of the 20th century, Sir Clive Sinclair was responsible for the invention and commercialization of the first truly pocket-sized calculator. In 1980 it launched the first low-cost personal computer, the ZX80.
In 1982, the ZX80 and later ZX81 were released with Sir Clive Sinclair’s most successful product, the ZX Spectrum, first a version with 16 KB of memory and later a version with 48 KB. This was also a low-cost computer, with a rubber keyboard, the data carrier was audio cassettes (like the previous ones), but, unlike the previous models, it was already capable of reproducing images in color. The ZX Spectrum has sold more than 5 million units worldwide, and for many it was the gateway to the world of computing and computers.
The success of Spectrum and games such as Manic Miner, Chuckie Egg, Jet Pac, Lords of Midnight, Knight Lore and Elite also helped to create a digital home entertainment market, which at the time was in its infancy with the launch of several brands of home computers cheaper than those used in businesses.
Sinclair was knighted in 1983 and after the success achieved with the ZX Spectrum, decided to build other types of products, such as the Sinclair TV80 pocket TV and the Sinclair C5 personal electric vehicle. However, no other product would achieve commercial success similar to that of Spectrum.
Speaking to The Guardian newspaper, his daughter Belinda said: “What was exciting for him were the ideas, the challenge. He could have an idea and say it wasn’t worth asking if anyone wanted it, because others couldn’t imagine it.”
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