Sinclair ZX Spectrum

Released in 1982 in the UK by Sinclair Research, The ZX Spectrum is an 8-bit home computer, based around the Zilog Z80 A CPU, with a clock speed of 3.5 MHz. It is the successor to the ZX81, which had a black and white display, so the name ‘Spectrum’ is in reference to this machine being released as the first to feature colour display and during development the machine was referred to as the ‘ZX81 colour’ or ‘ZX82’.

This original ‘ZX Spectrum’ model was as a 16kb or 48kb RAM model and this machine was amongst the first home computers to attract a mainstream audience in the UK and the introduction of this machine let to companies emerging that started producing both hardware and software for the ZX Spectrum.

The machine has been noted as being responsible for launching UK IT industry and as a result, Clive Sinclair was given a knighthood for “services to the British industry”. The contemporary design and feel of the machine was brought to us by Sinclairs industrial designer, Rick Dickinson and the hardware design was taken care of by Richard Altwasser of Sinclair Research.

Recent posts

Newcastle Prep School Visit

On 17 October 2019, we travelled to Newcastle Prep School, Gosforth, Newcastle Upon Tyne, all year groups were enthralled by the stories

Like this post? Share it!

Sinclair ZX81

The ZX81 is a home computer produced by Sinclair Research and manufactured in Dundee, Scotland by Timex Corporation.

Ian McNaught-Davis

Ian McNaught-Davis (30 August 1929 – 10 February 2014) was a British television presenter best known for presenting the BBC television

David Braben

David Braben has been called “one of the most influential computer game programmers of all time”, based on his early game development

Jeff Minter

In 1981 Jeff Minter started independently writing and selling video games for the Sinclair ZX80, the first machine he owned.

The Oliver Twins

Andrew Nicholas Oliver and Philip Edward Oliver, together known as the Oliver Twins, are British twin brothers and video game designers.

Amiga 1200

The Amiga 1200, or A1200 (code-named “Channel Z”), is Commodore International’s third-generation Amiga computer

Vectrex

The Vectrex is a vector display-based home video game console that was developed by Western Technologies/Smith Engineering.

Atari 2600

The Atari 2600, originally sold as the Atari Video Computer System or Atari VCS until November 1982, is a home video game

Micro Men

Affectionately comic drama about the British home computer boom of the early 1980s. Legendary inventor Clive Sinclair battles

SAM Coupé

The SAM Coupé is an 8-bit British home computer that was first released in late 1989. The machine is based around a Z80B CPU

Sinclair C5

The Sinclair C5 is a small one-person battery electric velomobile, technically an “electrically assisted pedal cycle”.