The Sinclair ZX Spectrum, a classic piece of computing history, celebrated its 35th birthday on April 23, 2017. Despite having been covered in a previous triple-part documentary, the impact and influence of the ZX Spectrum deserves a deeper look. In this article, we’ll take a journey through the early life and career of the man behind the machine, Sir Clive Sinclair.
Clive Sinclair was born on July 30, 1940, in Richmond, Surrey, to Thora Marles and George William Sinclair, also known as Bill. Bill was a mechanical engineer who ran his own machine tool business in London, supporting the Ministry of Supply. It’s no surprise that Clive would follow in his father’s footsteps and pursue a career in a similar field.
Growing up in Devon during the height of London’s bombing, Clive developed a love for both swimming and boating, but also an unquenchable thirst for knowledge. The Sinclair family valued honesty and this open approach to life led Clive to explore topics that interested him, while disregarding anything he deemed unnecessary. This drive eventually led him to mathematics, where he developed a calculating system driven by punched cards. He created this system based on a binary system, not realizing that it was already widely used in the developing field of computing.
As the 1950s progressed, Clive discovered the exciting world of electronics and started building electronic circuits as a hobby. He soon transitioned from manual work to holiday jobs at electronic companies, including Solatron, a company that still exists today and developed a range of scientific devices. It was through this work that Clive wrote his first article for Practical Wireless magazine before he had even finished high school.
Clive knew from a young age that his future lay in establishing his own business, rather than pursuing a traditional university education. In 1957, he began drawing up ideas and seeking funding to turn those ideas into sellable products. He continued to write freelance articles for Practical Wireless magazine and, due to illness within the editorial team, took on a larger role at the magazine than initially anticipated. This gave him a greater understanding of advertising and helped solidify his reputation as a creative and knowledgeable writer.
In 1961, Clive registered Sinclair Radionics Ltd. with the goal of creating and selling micro hi-fi kits. However, his backer pulled out at the last minute, leaving Clive in a difficult position. Fortunately, his next job at United Trade Press for Instrument Practice magazine would lay the foundation for his business to take off.
Clive’s first office was in Gough Square, London, with packaging and assembly handled by Cambridge Consultants Ltd at 69 Histon Road, Cambridge. From this new location, the tiny Micro 6 transistor radio set was launched and received wide praise from both the press and customers alike. To accommodate the growing demand, Sinclair moved yet again to Comberton, just outside Cambridge.
In addition to increasing advertising sizes, including for the Project 80 ultra-modern non-obtrusive hi-fi, Sinclair diversified into alternative products, such as the DM1 digital multi-meter. This, like most of Sinclair’s products, beat competitor pricing while providing a more compact solution. However, outsourcing manufacture led to reliability issues and somewhat tarnished the brand. Despite this, the company’s turnover in 1972 was £762,000.
In conclusion, the Sinclair ZX Spectrum story is a testament to the entrepreneurial spirit and innovative drive of Sir Clive Sinclair. From his early passion for electronics to his successful business ventures, Clive’s journey is an inspiration for anyone looking to make their mark on the world.
