Would you buy a flying car from this man?

[Charles Foster Kane]

What did he invent to create the Spectrum?

As I recall, it used standard components although he did put them together very cheaply to make a functional machine, but it's not like it was the first microcomputer.

One touch key system for the ZX80, micro drives for the QL, Sinclair BASIC etc. etc. etc.

What does your question even mean?...

[NickFitz]

What did he invent to create the Spectrum?

As I recall, it used standard components although he did put them together very cheaply to make a functional machine, but it's not like it was the first microcomputer.

One touch key system for the ZX80, micro drives for the QL, Sinclair BASIC etc. etc. etc.

What does your question even mean?...

One touch keyword input: yes, quite a clever idea, although utimately restricting the platform by tying it to one programming language.

Micro drives: there had been similar small tape drives before; he managed to bring the cost of manufacture down, but at the expense of reliability. Anybody can make something cheaper that isn't as good.

Sinclair BASIC: merely an implementation of an established programming language, so hardly an invention.

Platypus's question still stands - it means "What did he invent to create the Spectrum?" and is rhetorical in nature, in that there was nothing innovative about the Spectrum (as you say, one-touch BASIC keyword entry came with the ZX-80, not the Speccy) other than the price point achieved by effective use of modern manufacturing techniques, off-the-shelf components, and a custom ULA (which wasn't innovative by the standards of the day). It was an effective manufacturing strategy, but that's not the same thing as an invention.

[TheBigYinJames]

I think Sir Clive was a hero to a generation of kids who could never afford a 'real' computer in the early 80s. As you say, his was a manufacturing and marketing genius, rather than an inventer of tech. And in an era when british inventions were starting to become few and far between, he was the last of a British breed.

Sure, the Speccy wasn't great, but i think he still deserves a lot of respect and kudos. And since I was a C64 kid, that takes a lot of saying.

[Charles Foster Kane]

One touch keyword input: yes, quite a clever idea, although utimately restricting the platform by tying it to one programming language.

Micro drives: there had been similar small tape drives before; he managed to bring the cost of manufacture down, but at the expense of reliability. Anybody can make something cheaper that isn't as good.

Sinclair BASIC: merely an implementation of an established programming language, so hardly an invention.

Platypus's question still stands - it means "What did he invent to create the Spectrum?" and is rhetorical in nature, in that there was nothing innovative about the Spectrum (as you say, one-touch BASIC keyword entry came with the ZX-80, not the Speccy) other than the price point achieved by effective use of modern manufacturing techniques, off-the-shelf components, and a custom ULA (which wasn't innovative by the standards of the day). It was an effective manufacturing strategy, but that's not the same thing as an invention.

Do shut up.