Sinclair ZX81 Microcomputer
date: label: Date made
content: March 1981 or later
label: date made
content: ca 1981
notes: label: Description
content: The Sinclair ZX81 was the third microcomputer built by Sinclair but it had limited functionality. It appeared on the market at the right time, though, and enjoyed much popularity. Sinclair teamed with Timex Corporation in Scotland for production. The machine sold in the United States through the American branch of Sinclair Research in Nashua, New Hampshire.
label: Description
content: This example includes not only the microcomputer but a power adapter, earphone and microphone cords, a television adapter, and two manuals.
label: Description
content: This microcomputer illustrates a different approach to design and has a much smaller profile than its peers. The downside was limited functionality. This computer was often used by teenage boys because it was affordable and versatile.
label: Description
content: In 1980, Clive Sinclair created a sensation in Great Britain by introducing a home computer, the Sinclair ZX80, for less than 100 pounds. A year later, he took the American market by storm with the successor Sinclair ZX81, which sold for only $99.95 in kit form, or $149.50 fully assembled. The attraction was low price. The computer was cheap in almost every sense of the word. The computer had only 1K of RAM, which could be expanded to 56K with RAM packs. It had just 8 KB of ROM. It interfaced with a television for video display, and a cassette tape recorder for data storage. The screen output was text only, and only 32 characters wide by 24 high. The keyboard was a "touch sensitive membrane" - essentially switches under a plastic surface. Data entry was slow and laborious, and touch typing was impossible. The ZX81 had a Z80A microprocessor and used BASIC as its principal programming language.
label: Description
content: Although limited in capability, the ZX81 sold very well, and third party vendors developed a variety of products that provided enhancements or workarounds for many of its limitations. Innovative developers even created a word processor and flight simulator that could run on it.
label: Description
content: Compare the TS 1000, introduced in 1982 (see 1983.0289.01). Also see another ZX81 (1991.006.01).
label: Description
content: Dr. Wilkinson, the donor of this Sinclair, reported that this example of the machine was unused.
label: Location
content: Currently not on view
place: label: place made
content: United Kingdom
setName: label: See more items in
content: Medicine and Science: Computers
label: See more items in
content: Family & Social Life
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content: Computers & Business Machines
creditLine: label: Credit Line
content: Gift of Dr. Ronald S. Wilkinson
dataSource: label: Data Source
content: National Museum of American History
identifier: label: ID Number
content: 1994.0398.01
label: catalog number
content: 1994.0398.01
label: accession number
content: 1994.0398
objectType: label: Object Name
content: microcomputer
physicalDescription: label: Physical Description
content: plastic (cases, keys material)
label: Physical Description
content: metal (circuitry material)
label: Physical Description
content: rubber (feet material)
label: Physical Description
content: paper (manual material)
label: Measurements
content: overall: 4.5 cm x 16.5 cm x 17.2 cm; 1 25/32 in x 6 1/2 in x 6 25/32 in