Description

The ZX Spectrum is an 8-bit home computer developed and marketed by Sinclair Research. It was first released in the United Kingdom on 23 April 1982.

The machine was the brainchild of English entrepreneur and inventor Sir Clive Sinclair. Referred to during development as the ZX81 Colour, the ZX Spectrum was designed by a small team in Cambridge. It was designed to be small, simple, and most importantly inexpensive, with as few components as possible. The addendum ‘Spectrum’ was chosen to highlight the machine’s colour display, which differed from the black and white display of its predecessor, the ZX81. Its distinctive case, rainbow motif and rubber keyboard were designed by Rick Dickinson. Video output is transmitted to a television set rather than a dedicated monitor, while software is loaded and saved onto compact audio cassettes.

The ZX Spectrum+, a rebranded ZX Spectrum featuring a QL-like keyboard, was introduced in October 1984 and made available in WHSmith’s stores the day after its launch.