Would you buy a flying car from this man?

[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.

[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.

[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.

[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?...

[Platypus]

The Spectrum was his company's best invention

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.

[Archangel]

He's an Inventor, stop being constricted by what's already been invented. Anyone with any common sense would know he's invented an anti gravity propulsion system.

**** off,

Seriously

[Charles Foster Kane]

He's an Inventor, stop being constricted by what's already been invented. Anyone with any common sense would know he's invented an anti gravity propulsion system.

[TimberWolf]

At least if you use petrol the aircraft gets lighter whilst using the fuel... With batteries you'd be carrying the dead weight...

Plus petrol has at least 10 times the energy density of batteries, i.e. much lighter.

[Churchill]

Strangley enough he's provided no details on how this might work. He might want to think smaller and start with a fuel powered craft first. "Petrol not reliable enough...would have to manoeuvre itself" This is a big step up from powering a tricycle with a washing machine motor.

I just did a quick calculation and if a 200Kg (mass of man + machine) were powered by a 1m fan, rather than wings, the batteries would need to put out 22KW (22 electric fire bars) to hover.

At least if you use petrol the aircraft gets lighter whilst using the fuel... With batteries you'd be carrying the dead weight...

[Charles Foster Kane]

Poor old Clive, I think he's running out of steam in his old age and trying to create some PR buzz with wacky idea's.

The Spectrum was his company's best invention, shame they sold the brand/technology to Alan Michael Sugar Trading (Amstrad).

[TimberWolf]

Strangley enough he's provided no details on how this might work. He might want to think smaller and start with a fuel powered craft first. "Petrol not reliable enough...would have to manoeuvre itself" This is a big step up from powering a tricycle with a washing machine motor.

I just did a quick calculation and if a 200Kg (mass of man + machine) were powered by a 1m fan, rather than wings, the batteries would need to put out 22KW (22 electric fire bars) to hover.

[KathyWoolfe]

Uncle Clive's latest wizard wheeze...

http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/technology/7481940.stm

Anyone who invents an umberella strong enough to stop the user being crushed to death by a falling flying machine plus their "pilot" and/or passenger should make millions......

[BrilloPad]

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Ivor_Catt

I met him while in Fathes 4 Justice - he made various claims about Clive Sinclair.

[zeitghost]

Uncle Clive's latest wizard wheeze...

http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/technology/7481940.stm