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On This Day - 10th April

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Malcolm Evans Born
1944

Malcolm Evans Born

Malcolm Evans was born in Romford, Essex. He studied electronics at Portsmouth Polytechnic and subsequently worked in the electronics and aerospace industries, including positions with Marconi, Smiths Aviation and Sperry Gyroscope. His professional work involved microprocessors including the Z80 and Intel 8088. In 1981, his wife gave him a Sinclair ZX81 for his 37th birthday, prompting him to begin experimenting with the computer and its programming capabilities. His experiments led to 3D Monster Maze, one of the earliest computer games to create the impression of a three-dimensional environment. Following his departure from J. K. Greye Software in 1982, Evans founded New Generation Software and continued developing software for Sinclair computers. The company became particularly associated with 3D graphics on the ZX Spectrum, producing titles including Escape, 3D Tunnel, Knot in 3D, Corridors of Genon and Trashman.
Source: Contemporary computing press; CRASH; Sinclair User; Retro Gamer; Centre for Computing History
Malcolm Evans was born in Romford on 10 April 1944 and trained in electronics at Portsmouth Polytechnic. His professional career included Marconi, Smiths Aviation and Sperry Gyroscope, where he worked with microprocessors including the Z80 and Intel 8088. His wife gave him a ZX81 for his 37th birthday in April 1981, prompting him to experiment with 3D graphics and eventually develop 3D Monster Maze. After separating from J. K. Greye Software in spring 1982, Evans founded New Generation Software and became one of the best-known British programmers working with 3D graphics on Sinclair computers. Contemporary CRASH coverage documents the company's move onto the ZX Spectrum and the development of Escape, 3D Tunnel, Knot in 3D and Trashman.
Malcolm Evans 3D Monster Maze Escape 3D Tunnel Knot in 3D Corridors of Genon Trashman Travel with Trashman The Complete Machine Code Tutor Light Magic ZX81 ZX Spectrum 3D Graphics Machine Code Programming Software Development

Also in this month

Other historical information recorded for April.

Million Sinclair computers sold worldwide
1983

Million Sinclair computers sold worldwide

Sinclair Research announced that it had sold one million home computers worldwide, claiming to be the first company to reach that milestone. The total comprised around 130,000 ZX80s, 750,000 ZX81s and 200,000 ZX Spectrums. Sinclair also estimated that a further 600,000 Sinclair computers had been manufactured under licence by Timex for the North American market. The company said production in Dundee had reached approximately one computer every four seconds.
Source: Sinclair User April 1983
Sinclair User, issue 13, April 1983, reported Sinclair Research's claim that one million Sinclair home computers had been sold worldwide. The figures given were approximately 130,000 ZX80s, 750,000 ZX81s and 200,000 Spectrums. Sinclair additionally estimated that 600,000 computers had been manufactured under licence by Timex for North American sales. The article noted that Commodore disputed Sinclair's claim, saying that it had already passed one million sales several months earlier.
Sinclair Research ZX80 ZX81 ZX Spectrum Sinclair Sales Timex Timex Sinclair Dundee Sinclair Manufacturing Home Computers UK Home Computers
Sinclair User Issue 13
Timex Sinclair User magazine launched in the USA
1983

Timex Sinclair User magazine launched in the USA

ECC Publications launched Timex/Sinclair User, a new magazine aimed at owners of Timex/Sinclair computers in the United States. Based on the format of Britain's Sinclair User, the magazine covered reviews, projects, books and programming, with a first print run of 100,000 copies. ECC estimated that around 750,000 Timex/Sinclair machines were already in the United States and expected that figure to reach two million within a year.
Source: Sinclair User May 1983 Issue 14
Sinclair User Issue 14 reported that ECC Publications had launched Timex/Sinclair User in the United States during April 1983. The first issue had a print run of 100,000 copies and contained hardware and book reviews, projects including an EPROM blower, and a four-part BASIC programming series. The American edition had its own editorial and advertising staff, with members of the British Sinclair User team helping coordinate the launch. John Sterlicchi acted as editor-in-chief and John Ross as advertising manager.
Timex/Sinclair User Sinclair User Timex Sinclair Timex Sinclair Research ZX81 ZX Spectrum Sinclair Magazines Timex Sinclair Magazines USA American Computers Home Computers
Sinclair User Issue 14
Page Revised: 07/09/2026

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