Sir Clive Sinclair’s son and ZX Spectrum technology duo reunited - The National Museum of Computing brings a personal touch to ZX Spectrum 40th anniversary celebrations

Celebrate the 40th anniversary of Sinclair ZX Spectrum with a unique chance to hear from some of those with a personal connection to a computer that inspired a generation. Join TNMOC on April 23 as it hosts a live, audience Q&A with Crispin Sinclair - son of legendary inventor Sir Clive Sinclair – and design engineers Richard Altwasser and Dr. Steve Vickers who helped bring  Sir Clive’s vision to life.

What it was like calling one Britain’s first and best-known tech personalities “dad” – find out with Crispin who’ll talk inspiration, success and tribulations around the ZX Spectrum – and more. Richard and Steve will take guests on a journey inside delivery of the ZX Spectrum – from how Sir Clive’s famous focus on price drove historic technology and design choices to life inside the entrepreneurial hot house that became Sinclair Research under their famous boss.

In addition to these two live audience events, TNMOC will host a one-day Sinclair games tournament: an opportunity for the museum’s guests to pit their skills against each other in a range of classic titles played on period ZX Spectrums from the museum’s collection. The four games included in the tournament will be Jetpac, Horace Goes Skiing, Manic Miner and Way of the Exploding Fist.

Prizes for first, second and third places of each game in the tournament will be given, with those winners receiving either a guided tour of the museum for 16 people, a pair of museum escape room tickets or an annual family ticket to the museum.

Jacqui Garrad, museum director said: “Sir Clive Sinclair and ZX Spectrum occupy a special place in the heart of British computer fans. We decided to create an 40th anniversary event worthy of that passion with something a bit different - a rare opportunity to hear from some of those at the center of this incredible story. We’re honoured that Crispin, Richard and Steve agreed to help us bring this unique opportunity to life, by sharing their perspectives and memories of a computer, a person and an era that meant so much to so many.”

TNMOC is home to the largest working collection of historic computers. Its PC gallery, which features many of the home and business computers of the 1980s, is one of its most popular destinations. Its collection of working Sinclair machines that includes ZX Spectrums are a favourite of visitors who get a hands-on taste of retro computing.

Tickets for TNMOC’s ZX Spectrum 40th anniversary event on April 23 are available here. Full details of the day’s activities are below:

10:30: Museum opens to the public

11:00: Refreshments served in the Meeting Room

11:00-12:30: Visitors are invited to explore the Museum and participate in the Sinclair Retro Gaming Competition

12:30-13:15: Lunch/Networking in the First Generation Gallery

13:30-14:00: Live Q&A with Crispin Sinclair (Livestreamed for virtual attendees)

14:15-14:45: Live Q&A with Dr Steve Vickers and Richard Altwasser (Livestreamed for virtual attendees)

15:00-17:00: Visitors are invited to explore the Museum and participate in the Sinclair Retro Gaming Competition

17:00-17:30: Highest score winners announced for the Sinclair Retro Gaming Competition

More information can be found here, and tickets for the event are available on Eventbrite.