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On This Day - 30th April

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Guy Kewney born
1946

Guy Kewney born

Guy Kewney was a British technology journalist and computer industry commentator. He wrote for Personal Computer World from its early years and became particularly well known for his long-running NewsPrint column. He also contributed to publications including Electronics Weekly and Computing, and wrote about the British microcomputer industry, including Sinclair, Acorn and Amstrad. Kewney later worked in television, presenting programmes including Database and 4 Computer Buffs.
Source: Personal Computer World, The Guardian
Guy Kewney was a technology journalist and computer industry commentator who wrote for Personal Computer World from its early years and became associated with the magazine's NewsPrint column. His articles covered developments in the British microcomputer industry, including Sinclair, Acorn and Amstrad. He also contributed to Electronics Weekly and Computing, and later worked in television, including presenting Database and 4 Computer Buffs. Kewney was born on 30 April 1946 and died on 8 April 2010.
Guy Kewney Personal Computer World NewsPrint Electronics Weekly Computing Database 4 Computer Buffs Sinclair Sinclair Research ZX80 ZX81 ZX Spectrum Sinclair QL Acorn Amstrad British Computing Computer Journalism Technology Journalism
3rd ZX Microfair
1982

3rd ZX Microfair

The 3rd ZX Microfair opened on Friday 30 April 1982 at Central Hall, Westminster, London SW1. It was a two-day show, continuing on Saturday 1 May.

The Friday session ran from 12:30pm to 8:30pm, with the Saturday session from 10:00am to 6:00pm. The event brought together Sinclair users and suppliers, with hardware, software, books, magazines and other products for the ZX80 and ZX81.

Image: Sinclair ZX81 — Journey234, Public Domain. Illustrative image. The photograph is not from the 3rd ZX Microfair.
Source: Contemporary advertisement for the 3rd ZX Microfair
Contemporary advertising identifies this as the “2 Day Show — 3rd ZX Microfair” at Central Hall, Westminster, London SW1. The event opened on Friday 30 April 1982 from 12:30pm to 8:30pm and continued on Saturday 1 May from 10:00am to 6:00pm. The advertisement confirms the two-day format and the Central Hall venue.
ZX Microfair 3rd ZX Microfair ZX80 ZX81 Sinclair Mike Johnston Central Hall Westminster London

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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