Clive Sinclair
British inventor of the ZX Spectrum and pioneer of home computing
- Lived
- 81 yrs
- 1940 – 2021
- Works listed
- 2
- Home computer, Electric vehicle
- Honours
- 1
- Most recent 1983
- Profile views
- 3
- 0 followers
Sir Clive Sinclair was an English inventor and entrepreneur whose low-cost ZX80, ZX81 and ZX Spectrum computers brought home computing to millions of people in Britain in the early 1980s. He also made early pocket calculators and the ill-fated C5 electric vehicle. He died in 2021.
Biography
Early career
Sinclair left school at 17 and wrote about electronics for magazines. In 1961 he founded Sinclair Radionics, selling miniature radio and amplifier kits by mail order.
Calculators
In 1972 his Sinclair Executive was one of the first slim pocket calculators, small enough for a shirt pocket.
ZX computers
His company Sinclair Research launched the ZX80 (1980) for under £100, then the ZX81 and in 1982 the colour ZX Spectrum, which sold about five million units and launched Britain’s video-game industry. He was knighted in 1983.
The C5
His battery-powered C5 tricycle of 1985 was a commercial failure, and he sold his computer business to Amstrad in 1986. He kept inventing folding bicycles and electric vehicles. He died in 2021.
Timeline
-
1940
Born in Richmond, Surrey, England
-
1961
Founds Sinclair Radionics
-
1972
Sinclair Executive calculator
-
1980
ZX80
-
1982
ZX Spectrum
-
1983
Knighted
-
1985
Sinclair C5
-
1986
Sells computer business to Amstrad
-
2021
Dies
-
2021
Died, aged 81
Notable works
-
1982
ZX Spectrum Home computer
-
1985
Sinclair C5 Electric vehicle
Awards and honours
-
Knight Bachelor
1983
Did you know?
-
1
He said he never used computers himself, preferring pen and paper.
-
2
He was a member of Mensa and its chairman for years.
-
3
The drama Micro Men (2009) portrayed his rivalry with Acorn.
Connections
Frequently asked
Who is Clive Sinclair?
Sir Clive Sinclair was an English inventor and entrepreneur whose low-cost ZX80, ZX81 and ZX Spectrum computers brought home computing to millions of people in Britain in the early 1980s. He also made early pocket calculators and the ill-fated C5 electric vehicle. He died in 2021.
When did Clive Sinclair die?
Clive Sinclair died on 16 September 2021 at the age of 81.
Where is Clive Sinclair from?
Clive Sinclair was born in Richmond, Surrey, England.
What is Clive Sinclair known for?
Clive Sinclair is best known for Sinclair Executive pocket calculator; ZX80, ZX81 and ZX Spectrum computers; Sinclair C5.
What awards has Clive Sinclair received?
Notable honours include Knight Bachelor (1983).
References
- Clive Sinclair — Wikipedia. Wikipedia. Retrieved 4 November 2026.
- Clive Sinclair — IMDb. IMDb. Retrieved 4 November 2026.
- Clive Sinclair (Q23889) — structured data. Wikidata. Retrieved 4 November 2026.
Includes material from the Wikipedia article “Clive Sinclair”, licensed under CC BY-SA 4.0. That text is available under the same licence. Learn more
External links
About this profile
- Researched by the TrackFame editorial team; reviewed by Sanjay Sokal under our editorial policy
- First published 4 November 2026
- Last updated
Cite this page
“Clive Sinclair.” TrackFame, last updated 5 November 2026. https://trackfame.com/person/clive-sinclair
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