On This Day - 23rd April

1982

ZX Spectrum Official Launch

On 23 April 1982, Sinclair Research launched the ZX Spectrum, the successor to the highly successful ZX81. The new computer represented a major step forward, combining colour graphics, sound and a much more powerful display system with Sinclair's characteristic low-cost approach.

The ZX Spectrum was offered in 16K and 48K versions, priced at £125 and £175 respectively. It featured a 3.5 MHz Z80A processor, a 40-key rubber keyboard and colour graphics capable of displaying eight colours. The machine was designed to connect to an ordinary domestic television and cassette recorder, keeping the cost of entry into home computing relatively low.

The Spectrum quickly became one of Britain's most important home computers. Its combination of affordable hardware, colour graphics and an expanding software market helped establish a huge community of users and programmers. The machine would go on to become an icon of the British home-computer boom of the early 1980s.

Source: Sinclair Research / Contemporary computer press — 23 April 1982

The ZX Spectrum was announced and launched by Sinclair Research on 23 April 1982, replacing the ZX81 at the top end of Sinclair's home-computer range. The 16K model was priced at £125 and the 48K model at £175.

1982

Popular Computing Weekly begins publication

The first issue of Popular Computing Weekly was published on 23 April 1982 by Sunshine Publications. Edited by Duncan Scot, the new weekly magazine covered the rapidly expanding British home-computer market and cost 30p.

Issue 1 included early coverage of Sinclair's forthcoming ZX82, reporting that the machine would probably be sold under the name Spectrum. It also reported on the forthcoming 3rd ZX Microfair and Monolith's planned floppy-disc system for the ZX81.

Source: Popular Computing Weekly, Vol. 1 No. 1

Source notes: The inaugural issue of Popular Computing Weekly is cover-dated 23 April 1982 and priced at 30p. The issue identifies Duncan Scot as editor and Sunshine Publications as publisher. Its news section includes “The ZX82 is near!”, reporting that Sinclair's forthcoming computer was then code-named ZX82 and would probably be sold under the trade name “Spectrum”. The issue also reports on the 3rd ZX Microfair and a planned floppy-disc unit for the ZX81.

2017

The ZX Spectrum Next is launched

The ZX Spectrum Next is launched through a Kickstarter campaign, bringing the ZX Spectrum into the modern era while retaining compatibility with the original machine.

Developed by a team led by Victor Trucco, Fabio Belavenuto and Henrique Olifiers, with industrial designer Rick Dickinson responsible for the distinctive new case design, the Spectrum Next was conceived as an enhanced and expanded version of the ZX Spectrum.

The machine used FPGA technology to reproduce and extend the Spectrum's hardware, while adding features including a faster 7 MHz mode, expanded memory, hardware sprites, new graphics capabilities, SD-card storage, HDMI and VGA video output, additional audio capabilities and support for original Spectrum hardware.

The Kickstarter had a target of £250,000 and reached that target almost immediately. By the end of the campaign, 3,113 backers had pledged £723,390, helping turn the project into a production computer rather than simply a prototype or hobbyist board.

The Spectrum Next represented an unusual continuation of the ZX Spectrum story: rather than simply recreating the 1980s computer, it attempted to preserve its original character and compatibility while extending the hardware for a new generation of software and developers.

Source: ZX Spectrum Next Kickstarter campaign; SpecNext Developer HQ — The Kickstarter.

The Spectrum Next originated from the earlier TBBlue project developed by Victor Trucco and Fabio Belavenuto. Rick Dickinson subsequently joined the project and created the case design that helped turn it into the ZX Spectrum Next.

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 User Issue 13

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.

Sinclair User Issue 14