Sir Clive Sinclair Trivia Quiz

Answer: Marles

Clive Marles Sinclair was born near Richmond, London, on July 30, 1940. Sinclair was knighted in 1983, and became known as Sir Clive Sinclair.

Answer: Sinclair Radionics Ltd

Launched in 1961, Sinclair Radionics Ltd was involved in the electronics industry. The company worked on computers, calculators and general electronic components. In 1972, the company produced the world's first "slimline" pocket calculator. This piece of kit was called "The Sinclair Executive", and sold for under £90.00 sterling. The company ceased trading in 1979.

Answer: The Sinclair ZX Spectrum

The Sinclair ZX 80 was a very basic form of home computer. The Sinclair ZX Spectrum was launched in 1982, with several other versions of the machine made available. The last of the ZX Spectrum range was the ZX Spectrum + 3, and then produced by the Amstrad Company, after they had bought the Spectrum range and brand from Sinclair. The home computer was now truly up and running. Other machines on the market at that time, was the Commodore Amiga and the Atari ST.

Answer: Amstrad

Amstrad is an electronic company based in the UK. The company was started by Alan Sugar in 1968. Sinclair Research sold its computer and product range to Amstrad, so it could raise capital to restructure Sinclair Research.

Answer: True

The Sinclair C5 was a commercial flop. To raise capital for the project Sinclair sold £12 million pounds worth of shares in his company Sinclair Research, to fund the C5. A new company was formed, Sinclair Vehicles Ltd. The concept of the C5 had been around since the 70s, but other commitments from Sinclair put the C5 on hold.

When the C5 was finally produced it was plagued by problems and poor publicity. In total only around 17,000 vehicles was sold. The company was put into receivership in 1985, only two years after its launch.

Answer: The world's first hand held, portable television

Although developed in 1966, the portable television was never put into production. This highly technical piece of equipment would have cost too much to develop further for the retail market. A revived model was launched in 1977, the Microvision TV1A and MON1A, selling at under £100.00 sterling.

The product was a commercial failure with 12,000 portable televisions unsold. The stock of the TV's was eventually sold at rock bottom prices.

Answer: Sinclair Zike

Another great idea by Clive Sinclair, but yet again another failure. The company had expected to produce well over 100,000 Zikes a year, but only 2,000 Zikes were sold. The production line ceased after only six months after its launch.

Answer: Flat Screen Pocket TV

This small TV was also called the FTV1. The development costs and poor sales was the down-fall of this product. Even if the TV had been successful, it would have been short lived, as the development of liquid crystal display was on the way.

Answer: Practical Wireless

When Clive left school he got the position of editorial assistant at "Practical Wireless". "Practical Wireless" is a radio magazine printed in the UK. The first magazine was printed in 1932.

Answer: 5.5 kilograms

The A-bike is a compact, ultra light folding bicycle. When folded up, the A-bike is only 67x30x16 cm. The cost of the A-bike was £200.00 sterling. The A-bike received mixed publicity and made a cameo appearance on the UK TV programme, "Top Gear", a well known car programme.