The engineering miracle of the Sinclair ZX Spectrum

The Spectrum was not the first Sinclair computer to make it big. It was, however, the first to go massive. In the months prior to launching, 'The Computer Programme' had aired on the BBC, legitimising the home micro computer as the must have educational item of the 1980's. For Sinclair and the ZX Spectrum the time was right, parents were keen, and the kids were excited. Games would soon be were everywhere thanks to all the kids programming their brand new Spectrums.A major success factor, the one that gave the Spectrum its name, is the computer's capacity to generate a spectrum of colours. The micro is capable of generating 16 colours; 8 low intensity colours and 8 matching bright variants. It's hard to imagine now, but in 1982 these 16 colours were enough to start a home computer revolution. Richard Altwasser, the engineer employed by Sinclair to develop the Spectrum's graphic systems, was setting a new benchmark with some very innovative ideas.

I've missed the entire 8 bit home micro revolution - I simply was too young or not even born yet. It must've been such an exciting time.