Sir Clive Sinclair, the father of modern computing and gaming, passes away aged 81

Legendary inventor Sir Clive Sinclair has passed away aged 81 after a long illness. Sinclair invented everything from the pocket calculator to the Sinclair C5, an electric vehicle that launched in 1985. While the Sinclair C5 sold poorly, it is comparable to modern eScooters and eBikes.

Sinclair is best known for the ZX series of computers though, including the ZX Spectrum. As Kotaku notes, the ZX Spectrum inspired countless people to take up programming, including those who would eventually form Codemasters, Rare and Rockstar North, among others. The ZX series also featured the ZX80 and ZX81, which were making upwards of £14 million profit a year during the 1980s.

Undoubtedly, Sinclair is a key figure in the history of modern gaming and home computing. Without devices like the ZX Spectrum, the face of gaming would be completely different, especially in Britain. Sinclair is survived by his three children, five grandchildren and two great-grandchildren.

Purchase the Raspberry Pi 4 Model B on Amazon