Micro Men - 720p (2009)

tonight we're going to paint a picture of success people with characters who have imagination confidence in themselves faith in the future and a very positive attitude to life which means simply that they never ever take no for an answer like Joe Radley driller of fine holes for the electronic spol like George talor who has turned 15 of holiday money into a 3 million pound business like Clive Sinclair Electronics wizard who could beat the Japs and the Americans at their own game I consider it very much my role to foresee the future uh for example I anticipate totally automatic personalized cars uh powered by electricity drawn from internal batteries or the mains uh that's a very real goal [Music] starting in the early 1960s Sinclair has introduced the world to a series of remarkable technological advances miniature amplifiers personal in radios and his real breakthrough the world's first Slimline pocket calculator Sinclair went on to produce dozens of models before foreign manufacturers flooded the market undaunted Sinclair moved onto the world's first digital quartz watch but 40 components spell [Music] disaster faced with financial ruin Sinclair had to turn to the government for help selling a share of his company to the National Enterprise board in order to fund future projects what we we've brought in his public investment and business knowhow and we're confident the portable television we've developed together will be a great [Music] success this is claimed to be the world's first truly commercial Pocket television it's being launched by an English company in London today in America later this week this is one of the things we hope will be making money for Britain this year and in years to come whether it does or not you can at least say that it works and that goes into your [Music] pocket the answer is no but why have you even looked at these accounts we're in no position to throw away taxpayers money on concept products this is not a concept product it's Dreamland Clive we're running a proper business here not an amusement arcade he there is no more research money for the car I'm sorry nothing personal who are these people what do they think they're running here you was a point of funding an invention if you can't stomach the inventor CDE Jesus Christ what the bloody hell's the matter with you I don't give a [ __ ] about components just get it working what the bloody hell do you think I pay you for [ __ ] sake I'm surrounded by incompetence the top end I got people who don't know their from their elbow at the bottom end I got people who can't even answer a [ __ ] telephone sorry about that I was maybe later [Music] come on P cheers man I've had enough of these bullig Penny pinches I buger technical instruments we've taken technical instruments and highi as far as they can go I've watched the pocket calculator we invented be hijacked by the Japanese in their ugly plastic grot I'll be damned if they take away my car I they don't have the first idea about Sinclair radionics can't they see we exist to push barriers we won't be constrained like this what a line from browning a man's reach must exceed his grasp or what's a heaven for who's that for no grudges you know me as inventors we're obliged to dream to be unconstrained in our quest for Progress always to be pushing up the barriers but we must never forget that a lied to Innovation is a clear Sinclair aesthetic practicality Simplicity and elegance are the pillars of my vision remember that boys Elegance above all excuse me cve um I'd like you to meet a friend of mine Herman Hower Herman this is Clive Sinkler oh a pleasure to meet you German I'm Austrian uh a common eror I was just talking about the importance of Elegance in Innovative design oh s with your black watch oh yes but your watch didn't work properly uh elegance and functionality no Herman's doing a PhD at the cend dish uh it's on oxidization yes well some of us didn't go to university did we Chris we prefer the cut and thrust of the real world but I'm sure watching things rust has its interest I'm I'm sorry you'll have to forgive him Chris Clive here I'd like to have a word with you in private meet me in the rolls in 5 minutes we've had 6 months of this state control and it's been even worse than I thought this interference in my business is intolerable I've asked you here because I trust you Chris I want you to consider yourself freed from your employment at Sinclair radionics what don't worry you'll still work for me I hold another company name science of Cambridge is a shell no more than that but I want you to start operating it right I've rented a property in King's parade probably start with a couple of small projects there some of those calculator chips down in the store do help yourself to those okay I mean I have been speaking to Herman about a basic micro Computing kit yes yes what you'll be doing is preparing the ground for me to move in when this stalinist shth crumbles as it surely will UK Chris will be keeping the flame Alive 8 okay [Music] sure he'll drive you up the wall but there is something about him an absolute belief in what he's doing and he's loyal to his staff like nobody else you know he took me and Jim on when we were just kids and this whole thing starting this company it's been great a real chance to show what I can do he's coming to see the new Computing kit tomorrow I think he's going to like it now uh whose move what is a porn a piece whose only function is to protect the king to lay down his life if necessary as part of a great plan but the object of the game this is to kill the king now are you a porn Chris or a bigger piece on the board Checkmate uh no it's not oh maybe you're ride I don't really know the [Music] rules CPU RAM chips 8 digit LED display 5vt regulator it's a basic micro press ing system it's a kit to make your own computer at home whatever for right well uh you can find out how chips work how to program using computer language once they've got that they'll want more powerful computers computers we can produce h hardly going to have IBM quaking in their boots it's a bloody ugly thing but it's better than nothing some people like putting these things together I suppose is this the best furniture you could find uh well uh yes it doesn't exactly smack of the Sinclair brand still W be long before I'm out of this neb cage then I can really get cracking start work on some serious products we've got to face facts sales of the television have been disappointing with a little more time and further investment what more money as I keep telling you Innovation is not something you can pay for in green shield stamps excuse me we've pumped nearly 8 million into Sinclair radionics for what the taxpayer has to get something back for their investment there are some areas of the business we can salvage Salvage it's time to break this business up we're calling in the receivers it'll be wonderful to be running my own company again oh it's marvelous it's been a terrible time for C so nice to see him happy and relaxed again so a brave new future lies before us I've mapped out a number of new products the company might set about developing those Communists of the neb have got the instruments and the calculators but I've held on to the television and the car it's still mine yes I I was going to suggest that we try developing a new upgraded microcomputer Chris Chris it's an amusing little Gizmo aimed at a few Hobbies it's something I want to pursue well it's not exactly the Commodore pet no it's not meant to be it's a brand new did your Prussian friend put you up to this I don't know what you mean I don't wish to discuss it any further wonder why that is I beg your pardon I'm sorry Clive but I've always believed in what you've been trying to do now I'm asking for the chance to take this forward I I feel I can do something with this it's a worthwhile project it's pointless amrish ugly all I am asking is that you allow me the chance to develop the idea no but why because we haven't got the funds to wait waste we have to concentrate on developing authentic Sinclair products like the television the electric car the car Christ sake GL look the car get out of my bloody [Music] house get out is everything all right there's nothing he'll be back at work tomorrow [Music] morning I can't believe what I said I me you don't know what he thinks of that car Christ what have I done freed yourself you've had a taste of being the boss and you liked it there's no going back so what am I going to do my father wants to know if I'm coming back to work in the family firm what are they in they make wine oh really I didn't know that but I like Cambridge I've been thinking of starting a business here computers interest me maybe you could do with a partner seriously you'd give all that up to go into business with me have you ever tried Austrian wine Chris if you had you might [Music] understand [Music] as the Americans would say a golden handshake good luck with your future [Music] endeavors £10,000 you say what sort of business did you say was uh computers oh I say how interesting very science fictional well we like to help new concerns where we can just need to check a few boner fides you know how it is is tell me again which college were you at that one jolly good not as much just by looking at you a fresh start [Music] Goodbye old [Music] friend [Music] better [Music] they say in business he the success is to use the resources you have well here in Cambridge you have one resource in abundance Cambridge processor [Music] group they build computer systems for fun our secret weapon [Music] [Music] St Steve furber um could we could we have a word uh that's him Roger Wilson spent the summer holiday building and programming a computerized cow feeding device for a firm up in [Music] harri the computer journals you asked for you said you wanted all of them thank you nigela [Music] it's nearly 2,000 for young man such as yourself still too much so expensive but why so [Music] expensive we must observe the British tea [Music] ritual thank you so we all know the MK14 M sin Clair I saved up for one of his Hi-Fi kits when I was a kid look nice Matt Black system 2000 system 3000 system 2000 was in silver 20 watts as opposed to 40 watts in the system 3,000 whatever it was called never bloody worked anyway we all want to go with the 6502 processor of course is the only choice for the moment plus a whole new look that's right we start with kits but we want to Market it with a proper readymade molded keyboard and built-in assembler the products we produce are going to be led by you the engineers and so I'm pleased to announce that Nigel will be heading the new computer division not just a division but an entirely new company Sinclair computers a new company gentlemen A New Beginning perhaps we should remind ourselves of the secret of the Sinclair success that is being first to Market letting people know what they want before even they know about it now the MK14 has been a modest success as I knew it would be appealing to a specialist interest and yes there are companies making more Advanced Computers but these are affordable own only for use in offices or Laboratories but is the personal computer not a desirable notion something every citizen would quietly crave if he actually knew what it was this is my vision a Computing device in every home in Britain I quote personal computers will become steadily cheaper prices could drop to around £100 within the next 5 years poppycock because gentlemen we are going to achieve that in a matter of months price is the key whatever happens I want a computer that we can sell for the magic sum of £99 at that price the man on the clap Omnibus will want one even if he has absolutely no idea what to do with it beg borrow or steal components but one thing is clear in my mind it has to look like [Music] this now just imagine a future where anybody could go and buy a computer kit to program at home we could sell what 8,000 maybe even 10,000 computers what programming language are you proposing which one's the best they all have their limitations then why don't you write us a better one look I've heard some might be developing a new computer of his own is that true I don't know we don't speak besides with the team we've assembled I'm 100% certain that we're way ahead of [Music] Sinclair [Applause] good evening and welcome to the money program tonight we enter the world of the microchip and report on a story of British perseverance and invention and we ask will the personal computer be Clive Sinclair's ticket to a fortune it took Sinclair just 9 months to develop the zx80 and he began to sell it by mail order in March this year it costs £99 measures 9 by7 in and weighs just 12 O all you have to do is add an ordinary TV and a cheap cassette recorder eventually there'll be some 200 programs available mostly educational some technical and many suitable for children Jesus it's like trying to re Braille through a pair of gardening gloves clumsy programming language limited Z ATA Pro processor big ROM nice bit of circuitry there ah well it's like we thought it's clever done on the cheap but clever so we know what we're up against we produce something better better keyboard bigger memory smarter chip and improved language I know but the genie is out of the bottle he's done it he's got there first it's a working computer for less than a ton it's a brilliant the clear run on us look at the positive Clive is playing his hand first if he is bluffing we will know if he is holding the full house we will be able to look through the pack and find the three Aces with which to beat him you don't play cards either do you no so it goes well we still need to push on progress on the x81 uh first specs are done and we start work on an initial prototype next week what about that Bloody screen flicker hopefully not Jim I was wondering if you'd had any contact with um Chris I'm always in the lab I hear he might be going to Market with a new product well I have he hasn't um I'm not really sure it seems a shame he's not still with us you'd have enjoyed this that's all [Music] 2K of ram twice as much as the zx80 8K of ROM again double what the Sinclair computer offers and a a proper integrated keyboard that won't give you arthritis the acorn atom is the product that serious computer users have been waiting for you seem intent on attacking Clive Sinclair that's not personal it's a vastly superior product as all you're attacking him again it's about computers that's all the demon it pains me to say it but uh many of these companies won't survive this gold rush in the personal Computing Market there may be many clever people in the industry but business anuman is thin on the ground far too much what I call kite flying that is to say people announcing products that are just aren't ready but make no mistake I welcome competition we are a market leader but we uh we don't take our position for granted um great okay um can I ask you about the new ramp pack attachment yes well it was thought that we might do something to boost the machine's memory that's right cuz a lot of our readers are saying um that the connection's not that good um that they fall off we are aware of of this issue our Engineers have looked into it and I am informed that the use of a piece of Blac about the size of a runner beam will resolve the problem Blac quite so well that's genius see our readers would love that which magazine did you say um Sinclair user ah yes yes well you have my [Music] blessing C Chris everything uh going well I've given up what's the progress on the new machine the boys in the lab are doing their best well they need to do better getting it out quickly is vital it needs to Trump the 80 but also to obliterate the competition we need to keep our Reds cth here take a memo to all staff in this competitive environment we cannot afford information to leak out about our new products be hereby notified that work on the zxa 81 is top [Music] secret [Music] priz giving at the boys school today do you mind I'm reading I plan to make Britain the most computer literate country in the world that's quite a thought they're making a TV series about Computing and they want their own machine to use in demonstrations it's the biggest free advertising campaign in history whoever gets the license to produce it they'll make a fortune hello Acorn computers it says they already have a favorite yeah the new brain in Newbury newb new brain but why them it's the wrong machine what they want is something closer to what we're doing yes but the same thought will be crossing the mind of someone on the line for you says he's an old friend Clive [Music] [Music] that Chris CL you well yes fine you thriving you don't object to my choice of venue I like these places they're traditional and honest quintessentially British I took the liberty of ordering for you their oxtail soup is warming and nutritious for very fitting business going well yes fantastic good if I'm pleased there's room left in the market for nich products oh no the cream will always rise to the top yeah but cream can go sour none of it's kept cool well let's hope your cream can withstand the heat of the kit but you uh wanted to talk um I don't know if you'd heard but there's this BBC computer project that yes I uh think I read something about it somewhere I'm sure it won't amount to much but I wanted to discuss it in case you had any concerns concerns clearly it amounts to a breach of their non-commercial Charter it's outrageous any machine bearing the B DC logo would carry an enormous Advantage you think their patronage of the Newbery project is intolerable but the very least it should be an open competition for the contract at the very least what seems only fair especially for smaller companies like yours very altruistic assuming you are intending on bidding uh I hadn't really given it much thought what about you I I think we should both write to the BBC making our feelings clear it is in both our interests that Cambridge remain at the heart of the computer industry you're asking for my help I'm looking to join forces for the common good this is about doing the right thing so he's sitting there suggesting that we should I don't know join forces to stop them but I can't believe he's not actually pitching for the job so there would be a competition with him as El own favorite there wouldn't be time for a competition the DBC want this machine ready in weeks in time for the broadcast now Clive knows that he's ready to step in and if Clive gets it he'll have the whole Market in his pocket it'll be curtains for us and every other computer business in the country and he wants me to help him win the bloody contract we'll have to throw a hat in the ring but he's got a huge Advantage I mean he's already manufacturing God knows how many computers a week 276 per week 8,996 per month on average but the atom is a superior computer no question absolutely quantity is his strength quality is ours we just have to convince the BBC that they need what we've got Nest his real intentions from him if there's a BBC contract in the offing he'll beit I'm sure of it even though he knows he hasn't got a chance our next machine gentlemen will win hands down because we know so much better what is needed and how to do it than the BBC I don't know if it'll be that simple Clive well we're pretty well Advanced with development already the BBC specs are quite different to what we're doing we'll tell them what they want not the other way around an affordable but elegant machine with a few basic functions just as we're developing we are the computer experts they can stick to making Doctor Who and home with Mother 29 30 don't worry when the newb project fails they'll come to us we are expanding even quicker than anticipated well things do seem to be going well £50,000 doing the old College proud eh and so it is with great pride that I take on this role of President of this organization of like-minded individuals where to be clever is to be among friends thank you Mr Sinclair Excuse me yes we'd love to congratulate you on your speech my name's Susan and this is Mindy and Barbara hello hello and you're you're enjoying the the Symposium oh yeah everyone's very lovely and all these clever people it's so inspiring that you you can develop so many projects at once quite uh Sinclair research is uh making significant progress with the portable television the uh home Computing system and uh what I'm most proud of the uh a personal electric transport um yeah well I'm just full of admiration for any man that can take care of three things at the same time good good that's that's good because as um president I'm I really want to promote the organization as being fundamentally social uh um what you were saying about being able to put every book ever written into a machine that the size of a sugar cube were you serious oh absolutely yes so this quest for miniaturization is a a major Credo of mine to reduce the size of something um making it more efficient and convenient that's right at the heart of of everything I I do still it's nice to get your hands on something big once in a while yeah see you later good than bar uh no I appreciate you calling me back it's not easy to actually speak to someone from the BBC well a computers custom well quite yeah look what I want to stress is that we're doing some really interesting work here have you actually plugged it in and all we're saying is that we should get the same chance that newbur is getting to when did they pull out [Music] afternoon sir ah yes hello did the speech go well yes it seemed to create some interest that's nice Nigel told me to give you a message he said the newb new brain is out of the race I knew it have the BBC called us yet yes they wanted a proposal from us as I predicted and also proposals from dragon oric camputer and acorn get me Acorn on the phone now this is Clive Sinclair I'd like to speak to Chris Curry he's bloody we he's sharper than a Serpent's tooth yes but he's nowhere near ready how do you know everyone knows not like us CLI don't operate in secret cocky like that very well let him make a fool of himself and these broadcasters will have to come grumbling to me how long 4 days 4 days they want the program on the air in the New Year 4 days Christ I know but I was standing there with my foot in the door what was I supposed to say don't come because the computer I'm trying to sell you doesn't actually exist is there any chance by Friday what will Roger and Steve say what do you think they will say say it can't be done perhaps they just need a little [Music] encouragement Roger hman I have a question for you can you adapt the new machine for the BBC spec we've got a [Music] week I [Music] understand he says it cannot be done I knew it [Music] burer so I ask you Steve you think it can be done no I'm surprised when you tell me this oh because Roger told me that that he thought it was possible to do it in a few days yes he seemed to believe so but I will tell him that you disagree [Music] no Roger Herman again now I need your advice Steve says he thinks he can do it no he really does he seemed very confident no I didn't tell him that you said it was impossible do you want me to call him back and tell him that [Music] now okay see you [Music] tomorrow say good they'll fall flat on their faces we need do nothing and the contract is ours that's what we're going to do nothing of course not never stand still the BBC will be here on Friday morning we need to be able to show them a working prototype that fits this spec uh I know you can do it I'll make the [Music] tea [Music] [Applause] one [Music] what if we move the space bar to here then we can just lose all of this at the moment I can't see how that [Music] s [Music] good BS [Music] everyone [Music] that [Music] [Music] [Music] one good night Sir this was the spectacular scene only a few days ago right now we need to wire up the whole thing good miss one connection and it won't work it shouldn't take too long should it well um I've done the first seven great about 3,000 to go This Time come [Music] on Christ damn it I must be some kind of contact failure I don't know I thought we had it working [Music] must be something they're here I'll try and St them you've had it well uh very good of you to come uh we do really appreciate the the opport sorry the opportunity to uh uh it's a sorry I think it's it's about to break this is the wire to the development system yes you've used a clock wire for this [Music] mhm this is a breakthrough for us I hope and the BBC as well to um to have you here sorry wrong door this that can't be I'm so sorry gentlemen I feel very embarrassed sorry [Music] uh what if the wire is causing a skew on the internal clock huh it's directly beneath I'm so sorry why am I going upstairs it's absolutely downstairs ridiculous if we cut this cord but that's its backup life support at the moment of birth If the child is to prosper the cord must be cut no no no no no no [Music] here we are gentlemen uh as you can see we only able to show you a fully functioning prototype marvelous let's see what she can do [Music] yes sir Cynthia I'm not taking any calls except from the BBC [Applause] [Music] hello yeah [Music] c sincl ah yes yes I was expecting your call huh mhm you've bloody [ __ ] hell sorry sorry that wasn't my I'm hoping that's [Music] all I'd like to add the government back backing to the BBC computer literacy program and I'm proud to announce that the BBC micro will be at the heart of a new government initiative to put a computer into every school in the country the exclusive manufacturers of the BBC micro Acorn computers tell me they've already taken twice the number of anticipated orders the public is excited by this new technology and Britain is at the Forefront of it can we just see you using the machine Minister yes yes of course if you remember it's the turn key oh isn't that absolutely marvelous why even bother with them demand for the zx81 has been phenomenal our only problem is how to meet the orders we're having to step up production turnovers looking like like over 30 million it's incredible I want the Spectrum brought forward it's still in the developmental stage Clive I'm sorry I don't know we'll make them head on Acorn may have their friends in government and at the BBC but Sinclair understands what the man in the street wants Simplicity affordability elegance elegance above all this new BBC micro looks like it was invented by a blind Bulgarian brick lay it's not funny the next computer has to do everything theirs does and more and it has to be half the price of theirs we start taking orders now if Chris Curry wants a battle well let's show him what we've got up Our Sleeve high resolution Graphics up to a massive 48k of Ram sound and full eight color capability all available from £125 I give you you the Sinclair ZX [Music] Spectrum well let's take a look at a typical office of today and what are the first things you see apart from the man working in it it's the filing cabinets now what's going to happen to them Mac well most of them are going to go Chris along with invoices and bills those are all going to be sent through by the computer what about our old office friend the faithful typewriter are we going to say goodbye to that as well about 30 seconds before so a secretary's job will really be enhanced as she's able to help her boss in understanding the sort of speed at which his business is changing Done Right 20 print what is your word does that mean you're going to do away with paper all together are the stationary doors finally going to close no they're not because people really do still like to read things on paper and not on screens 30 input words string return but in fact a lot of the time they are used for manipulating data characters words and letters and so on and we can show you some of the instructions on here you recognize that I'm beginning to recognize what looks like the beginning of a program yes a computer program first one is probably new to it's CLS which is a very nice we of saying clear screen and and that's a bit of your standard basic that's right yes computer j well I think I afternoon C just do it properly next time all right good lad [Applause] since the department of Industry launched its multi-million pound micros in school scheme with a great Fanfare there's now at least one in every secondary school and one in almost half the primaries Brit it is said is ahead of anyone else in the world you can buy a pet an apple an acorn a tangerine even a new brain in Fact Computers suddenly seem to be everywhere I'm sorry did you say million as you can see we are experiencing growth at an exponential rate I'd have to make a call which college was it again in six years Acorn who make the BBC micro and electrons has grown from a small company to a multinational with a turnover of more than 90 million [Music] I think you've been doing what computers for 6 months and you're completely fascinated by it uh my mom can't keep it under control hello again people in Britain at the Forefront of the computer Revolution with titles like manic Miner hungry horrus and Chucky egg computer games have become the latest craze to sweep the nation according to a survey today British children spend more time using computers than anywhere else in the world Sinclair has sold hundreds of thousands of its ZX Spectrum computers this is a small home computer press that [Music] button [Music] so what can the average user actually do with a home computer an exciting variety of useful applications so not just games no absolutely not what do you use your compies for uh mainly [Applause] games [Music] you know we can't cope with this demand then we take on more people boost production can somebody get that phone we'll need a further cash injection to expand at the rate we are growing exactly and I know how to get it a share issue we float the company it's computers it's Cutting Edge technology the city of lovers come on what can go [Music] [Music] wrong and then you just delete it by pressing these two buttons here together um so you press this button here and this button here no sorry no this button yeah that's right this button here and you see the thingy flashes on the screen there that's that's perfectly normal and all you need to do is press enter and it changes color changes color what else can you do on it uh me I can change the border to um another color um let's try blue can you play games on it yes yes you can hundreds of games for the uh for the Spectrum uh yes excuse me do you have any games for the BBC micro uh yes somewhere yeah yes we do [Music] [Applause] making the most of your establishment connections more likely oh yes so respectable no games for the micro damn the BBC and the government and all the rest of your lackes people seem to forget that this is just a fad nothing else all this nonsense about computers replacing shopping saving people a trip to the bank these things would save the world so for of the time it's so that's the plan we pumped the money from the share issue into a pair down version of the BBC micro the electron we drop the price produce on a big scale and go head-to-head with Uncle Clive's Spectrum we go down market look The Squeeze is on in this industry in case you didn't notice there's a rival machine launching every week we have to keep growing so there we have it gentlemen new strategy alongside an upgraded Spectrum we launch the Quantum Leap or ql a new computer designed for use in the office with a proper keyboard and functions for business and education an upmarket computer a serious computer do we need to change tag now Clive I mean the success of the spectrum has been you've got a company valued at 136 million you're talking about making a computer from scratch new hardware new operating systems it will take years we're announcing in 3 months and anyway this spec I mean it's a backward step for us we should be working on improving the hardware 16bit technology our own processor look computers for the common man now games entertainment that's where the money is wh Smiths are ready to order 120,000 peripherals like the micro driver selling well and really logic suggests that we expand into building our own software for the Spectrum exactly I mean the games Market alone is games games everywhere I go games this is what my lifetime of achievement has been reduced to Clive Sinclair the man who brought you Jet Set [ __ ] Willie my lad's up to level eight I mean apparently there's even a game now about me trying to get a Knighthood for Christ's sake this is is a serious company damn it making serious technological advances sorry to interrupt but I really thought you should see this congratulations I've been um given a Knighthood [Music] [Applause] the ql or Quantum Leap represents just that in the home and Business computer Market with its brand new operating system incorporating super basic an Innovative built-in Micro Drive data storage system and yet another revolutionary keyboard it really is sheer professional power in the sink aair Style with all these features you could be forgiven for expecting to pay quite literally thousands of pounds but no the Sinclair ql will sell for merely 399 just before I hand you over to our head of computing Nigel's C just to fill you in on some details let me be the first to say the future is here and it's ready to ship in 28 days so it connects to Circuit C4 no no no if we reverse the configuration then no I understand that [Music] yes yes no that that's no problem now we're fully geared up to produce that volume definitely yes you have my word no thank you okay bye-bye wh Smiths have confirmed the electrons I knew it says here the market might have peaked do we want to run the production lines that hard Herman they've just ordered 120,000 computers does that sound like it's peaked Chris remember you've got meetings with the lawyers and accountants later this afternoon have I right thank you is that the payroll Christ again no no no no needs more power on the start off well that will drain the battery then spend more improving the battery 12 million quid out of the coffers for this well he's a genius remember trying to Clive um sorry to interrupt again about the Quantum Leap Christ not again we we can't keep advertising it the phones are ringing off the hook with people wanting to know where their machines are well get the bloody things out then we're not ready the micro drives aren't working half the memory is hanging out the b we employ more people on the job Clive more people isn't the issue we need more time to Iron out all the problems for [ __ ] sake n we announced the 2 will be shipping in 28 days it will be that was 60 days [Music] ago sales of the spectrum have slumped in December 1983 every child wanted one for Christmas and by December 1984 every child who wanted one had one there are currently some 600 home computer manufacturers in Britain how many of them will still be around by this Christmas well certainly less than 600 that's for sure and uh the market is very fragmented it cannot contain anything like that number over a long period the cheapest of all is this one made by the newly knited sir Clive sinlar it's survival of the fittest uh who's most Innovative who best meets the end user requirements it's a tough Marketplace for our Rivals but as far as they on the concern then interest in our computers is still in the ascendency um at synclair Computing we've recently uh developed a truly groundbreaking machine uh the Quantum Leap just recently we received our biggest ever order for our latest product the electron we've already taken a huge number of orders from eager consumers consumers who want the very best the ql or Quantum Leap computer designed for the upper end of the market has has been dogged by production and marketing problems from next week the Sinclair ql now priced at just under £400 is to be reduced by 50% and although Sinclair originally promoted this machine as being capable of more serious applications could fail to make any inroads into the business computer market and that's where amstrad comes in we are businessmen we're not made up by a team of exg graduates who throwing a few electronic components in a plastic box to make matters worse the Boom in schools buying computers has also passed and it was demand from schools which helped catapult acor from being a Twan outfit to a turnover of £93 million I believe with the right products at the right price then market demand will just keep growing and growing and so for 1985 the most serious computer game of all is being played by the companies themselves trying to turn around the continuing and devastating slide in their industry well you see the way it works is this we send them out when the shops order them Jesus Christ and the shops order them when they need them uh-huh the thing is they needed them 3 months ago not now Smith's ordered 120,000 electrons did you get that order in writing now if it was your CD players we can't send them out quick enough this year some people have been waiting 3 months for the QRS and they're the lucky ones the ones we're actually managing to deliver just don't work we can't keep advertising it C people trust Sinclair they trust me if they don't work give them another one that does stop fretting Nigel our advertising campaign will guarantee healthy sales if car wants to muscle in on the Spectrum Market with his ugly tap then I'll be damned if we don't respond I'll chop him off at the knees in his own territory yeah take this Sinclair ql commercial takes 17 hars aser and Dixons might be next what they can't all be pulling their electron orders well not yet Jesus Herman I've got suppliers all over me for money well we cash in more of the stock no can't do that or what about using some of the advertis budget no way that's vital we have to advertise on TV like IBM and commodore we can't spare a penny of that money going have to find it from somewhere else this is the new Acorn electron it's powerful it's versatile and it's only £99 but there's one feature that will make it particularly welcome in homes all over Britain it speaks the same language as most school children BBC basics the electron now your children can teach you all they know the acor electron can be found at local Acorn dealers and major High Street stores Jesus just s a check on you what are you getting for Christmas Valerie oh one of those new CD players that's if s could find one in the shop what about you I'd be happy with an empty Warehouse brought something for you to eat oh it's like old times it was fun then wasn't it [Music] [Music] dangerous walking in traffic keep to the side if I were you that's the place for [Music] pedestrians for are you sure you want to go with the one knocking sinkle just run it I want full Pages everywhere a to in love our problems disappear but all in all we soon discover that one and one is all we long to you all around the world little children being born to the world got to give him all we [Music] can what the [ __ ] hell is all thisit about that fing [ __ ] [ __ ] right Jesus Christ ridiculous don't do that [Music] again get out stay out still got that temper Clive someone needs to teach you a lesson that's funny because everything I learned I learned from you you learned nothing you you you took and you took and you gave nothing you wouldn't listen to me what choice did I have we could have been the British IBM but you wouldn't listen to me when you should have and now look at us you and shares in the acorn micro computer company were suspended on the stock market this afternoon it follows rumors of financial problems at the company share prices in acorn have been under pressure since the city heard that they'd made a big loss in America for some months now it's been known that Britain's most famous inventor sir Clive Sinclair has had financial problems his company Sinclair res search brought computers out of the lab and into the home and was a runaway success UC in the early ' 80s but the market has slumped as rapidly as it [Music] peaked and just before the weather and you'll like this bu will I indeed I'll be the judge of that it were a battle of the buffins in a Cambridge Pub last night tell me more as two rival computer clever clogs came to blows over a business disagreement CS Greg eye witness is reported the pair of Eggheads having a crack at each other joke on the carpet Greg it's official we're a joke hope all the people we have to L see the funny side we're not a joke Chris the bottom has fallen out of the whole Market that's all it's the same for everyone the same for Clive does that make you feel better no it doesn't I'll go and start letting everyone know what are they all going to do they are clever people they'll think of something maybe they already have Chris it's Clive here uh Clive Clive Sinclair uh we haven't spoken in months and I um wondered if if you weren't too busy just wondered if you might like to meet up for a drink um like the old days if you're around no grudges I've always predicted the computer boom would come to an end now it belongs to ghastly bar boys like this amstrad fellow but we adapt Chris we move on businesses come businesses go this was but one step on a greater journey and you know ultimately the path of the future will always be laid by the amater a quiet chap scuttling off to his shed to work on that idea that he and he alone knows will change the world that's the British way that's what made this the greatest country on earth a man's reach must exceed his grasp or what a heaven for true enough but you know the future still needs inventing I've been looking into the possibility of a flying car Tom Gentlemen [Music] [Music] please [Music] n [Music] a [Music] oh [Music] n sticking with the Techno theme now on BBC HD we meet the inventor of the Silicon chip in the Pod father [Music] next

Channel: gimpymoo

Views: 389,832

Keywords: Micro Men, Sinclaid, BBC, Micro, ZX Spectrum, Jet set willy, sir, clive, Sir Clive Sinclair, Mendocino County (US County), High-definition Video (Film Format), 720p, Men, HD

Id: XXBxV6-zamM

Length: 84min 12sec (5052 seconds)

Published: Sun Jul 28 2013