Since 1981, that is, since founding his first company, Sinclair Radionics, Clive has probably put together more revolutionary devices than anyone else. When searching for something new and different, he could sometimes be truly remarkable. Without Sinclair, software houses such as Ocean, Mastertronic, Elite and others would not have achieved such enormous success.
Even the computer press could not do without him. No fewer than three magazines have his name in their titles. Many other things sprang up alongside his devices: joysticks, keyboards and various interfaces.
And now, we bring you a joint interview conducted by colleagues from the magazines Svet Kompjutera and Popular Computing Weekly:
How did you react to receiving the award, the title of Technological Personality Who Most Shaped These 25 Years?
I was delighted, naturally, since I had placed an advertisement in the first issue of Practical Electronics, which gave me the award.
Do all these achievements have their roots in the days when you were an amateur electronics enthusiast?
Definitely. They are all the result of my long-standing interests and projects, which have come to fruition over the years. I would have achieved none of what I have done if I hadn’t been so interested in electronics as a secondary-school student.
It is now almost ten years since the ZX81 appeared. Did you believe back then that home computers could become as widespread as they are today?
I didn’t think they would become quite this popular, but I certainly hoped they would be something big.
Which of the computers you have made do you like the most?
I think the ZX-81 was a good little machine in its own way. I am very pleased with the Z-88, but the legend is the ZX-48K.
Do you use the Z-88 in your work?
I don’t use computers very often. I don’t type, and I don’t have a computer at home. I use a fountain pen and a calculator.
And do you ever play any of the many Spectrum games?
Not at all. We assumed people would play with the machines, but the main aim of the microcomputer was to introduce them to computing as a skill and a science. I never play computer games.
Do you have ambitions?
Of course I do. I am especially interested in two long-term areas: artificial intelligence—that is, machines that are equal partners to humans—and electric vehicles.
Since we are talking about artificial intelligence, can morality be built into machines?
I don’t know whether we could call it morality. We can build in restrictions. That is necessary, and that is what I will do.
Finally, what has motivated you to achieve everything you have so far?
The sheer desire to change the world a little, to make devices that would make life more interesting.
The pocket calculator was an extraordinary thing, and so was the personal computer. I am fascinated by portable micros.
I want to create new things that will improve people’s lives. The home computer was a good example.
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