Companies & Studios

Sinclair Research

Bringing computers to British homes

Clive Sinclair's company created the ZX80, ZX81, and ZX Spectrum, making home computing affordable and sparking the British games industry.

zx-spectrum hardwarepioneersbritish 1961–present

Overview

Sinclair Research brought computing to British households through radical cost-cutting and clever engineering. The ZX Spectrum, priced at under 200 pounds, became the platform that launched countless bedroom coders. Clive Sinclair’s vision of affordable technology created an entire generation of programmers and game developers.

Fast facts

  • Founded: 1961 (as Sinclair Radionics, became Sinclair Research 1979).
  • Founder: Sir Clive Sinclair.
  • Headquarters: Cambridge, England.
  • Sold to Amstrad: 1986.
  • Key products: ZX80, ZX81, ZX Spectrum, QL.

Pre-computer history

Before home computers:

  • Sinclair Radionics (1961): calculators, hi-fi.
  • World’s smallest pocket calculators.
  • Science of Cambridge (1977): MK14 kit computer.
  • Renamed Sinclair Research in 1979.

The ZX series

ModelYearPriceRAM
ZX80198099.95 pounds1KB
ZX81198149.95 pounds1KB
ZX Spectrum1982125-175 pounds16-48KB
Spectrum+1984179.95 pounds48KB
Spectrum 1281985179.95 pounds128KB

Cost-cutting innovation

How Sinclair made computers affordable:

  • Membrane keyboard: Cheap but functional.
  • ULA chip: Combined multiple functions.
  • TV as display: No monitor needed.
  • Cassette storage: Standard tape recorders.
  • Mail order: Initially direct sales.

ZX Spectrum impact

The Spectrum created:

  • British bedroom coder culture.
  • Major games industry (Ocean, Ultimate, Codemasters).
  • Programming literacy among youth.
  • Platform for 24,000+ software titles.

The Sinclair QL

1984’s Quantum Leap:

  • 68008 processor (advanced for price).
  • Microdrives (problematic storage).
  • Multitasking operating system.
  • Commercial failure but technically ambitious.

Amstrad acquisition

1986 sale to Amstrad:

  • Sinclair brand continued on computers.
  • Amstrad Spectrum +2 and +3 followed.
  • Clive Sinclair moved to other inventions.

Sir Clive’s other ventures

Beyond computers:

  • C5 electric vehicle (1985, infamous failure).
  • Pocket televisions.
  • Zike electric bicycle.
  • Never stopped inventing until his death (2021).

Cultural legacy

Sinclair Research:

  • Made the UK a game development powerhouse.
  • Created generation of programmers.
  • Demonstrated affordable computing was possible.
  • Established bedroom coding as viable path.

See also