Clive Sinclair, the Home Computing Pioneer, Dies Aged 81

Clive Sinclair, the brain behind ZX Spectrum, died after a prolonged illness.

Clive Sinclair, the Home Computing Pioneer, Dies Aged 81

Photo Credit: BBC/ David Levenson

Clive Sinclair demonstrates the C5 tricycle in 1985

Highlights
  • Clive Sinclair was born in Richmond, Surrey, England on July 30, 1940
  • Sinclair was suffering from a prolonged illness
  • Sinclair was knighted in 1983
Advertisement

Sir Clive Sinclair has died at the age of 81. The computing pioneer died at home in London on Thursday, September 16, after a prolonged illness. Considered to be one of Britain's most prolific inventors and entrepreneurs, Sinclair is most famous for making computers accessible to the masses by bringing them into homes. In addition to popularising the home computer at what was largely considered to be affordable prices, he is also known for producing the first slim-line electronic pocket calculator in 1972.  His passion for invention and entrepreneurship resulted in the formation of his own company, Sinclair Radionics, in 1961. 

In order to raise funds for the electronics company, Sinclair left school at 17 and worked for four years as a technical journalist. However, after the release of his pocket calculator Sinclair Executive, he was faced with a bunch of hurdles in the form of lacklustre products.

In 1980, Sinclair created history by launching ZX80, a home computer. Priced at less than GBP 100 (roughly Rs 10,000), it became the United Kingdom's first mass-market home computer. Soon, under the aegis of Sinclair Research, the entrepreneur also released ZX81and ZX Spectrum. In 1985, he also developed Sinclair C5, a battery-powered electric tricycle, which did not impress consumers then but is hugely relevant today in the context of the push for electric vehicles.

It comes as no surprise that many of the stalwarts of technology firms today have been inspired by Sir Sinclair's work. According to McGill University, several famous video game designers such as Peter Molyneux and David Perry started their journey with ZX Spectrum.

Speaking about her father, Belinda Sinclair told BBC, “He was inventive and imaginative and for him it was exciting and an adventure, it was his passion.” She added that he was still working on his inventions a week before his death.

“He'd come up with an idea and say, ‘There's no point in asking if someone wants it because they can't imagine it,” Belinda told The Guardian about Sinclair's passion. “He wanted to make things small and cheap so people could access them.”

Paying tribute to the genius, British business mogul Alan Michael Sugar tweeted, “So sad to hear about my good friend and competitor Sir Clive Sinclair… R.I.P Friend.” 

SpaceX founder Elon Musk too conveyed his condolences on Twitter.

Sinclair was granted knighthood in 1983 for his contributions to British industry. He is survived by his daughter Belinda, his sons, Crispin and Bartholomew, as well as five grandchildren and two great-grandchildren.


This week on Orbital, the Gadgets 360 podcast, we discuss iPhone 13 leaks and what we expect from the Apple event. Orbital is available on Apple Podcasts, Google Podcasts, Spotify, Amazon Music and wherever you get your podcasts.
Affiliate links may be automatically generated - see our ethics statement for details.
Comments

For the latest tech news and reviews, follow Gadgets 360 on X, Facebook, WhatsApp, Threads and Google News. For the latest videos on gadgets and tech, subscribe to our YouTube channel. If you want to know everything about top influencers, follow our in-house Who'sThat360 on Instagram and YouTube.

SpaceX Inspiration4 Launched Successfully: Here’s What the ‘Happy’ All-Civilian Crew Is Up To
Google Doodle Honours Famed Japanese Green Tea Researcher Michiyo Tsujimura on Her 133rd Birthday
Share on Facebook Gadgets360 Twitter Share Tweet Snapchat Share Reddit Comment google-newsGoogle News
 
 

Advertisement

Follow Us

Advertisement

© Copyright Red Pixels Ventures Limited 2024. All rights reserved.
Trending Products »
Latest Tech News »