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Possibly relevant - but in any event, interesting throughout - is Sophie Wilson's Computer History Museum interview: http://www.computerhistory.org/collections/

by to3m 11y ago

Possibly relevant - but in any event, interesting throughout - is Sophie Wilson's Computer History Museum interview: http://www.computerhistory.org/collections/catalog/102746190 http://www.computerhistory.org/collections/catalog/102746190

timthorn 11y ago
And Steve Furber's Centre for Computing History interview: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ZMEBj3FM2aw https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ZMEBj3FM2aw
- rasz_pl 11y ago
  dont forget Hermann Hauser, Acorn cofounder: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Y0sC3lT313Q&list=PLQsxaNhYv8daKdGi7s85ubzbWdTB36-_q&index=18 https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Y0sC3lT313Q&list=PLQsxaNhYv8... great stories in this interview
guiambros 11y ago
Somewhat related: Micro Men [1], a semi-documentary/drama movie about Sinclair's rivalry against Acorn computers in late 70s and early 80s. Sophie Wilson herself plays a quick cameo role towards the very end. [1] https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=hco_Av2DJ8o https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=hco_Av2DJ8o
- jacquesm 11y ago
  They never were in the same space. Sir Clive made things cheap, Acorn made things well.
  - guiambros 11y ago
    Their stories are very interconnected, though. If Christopher Curry hadn't worked for/with Sir Clive for 13+ years and learned about electronic calculators, probably he would have never discovered the upcoming wave of personal computers. Also, it seems that Sir Clive's lack of vision for the future of computers, and his scattered mad-inventor-turned-businessman, were the main reasons for Cambridge Processing Unit Ltd - later Acorn Computers - being created in the first place. Somewhat, the supercomputer we carry in our pockets these days are a direct consequence of Sir Clive's actions (or inactions).
    - jacquesm 11y ago
      I'll be more than happy to concede those points. It's a pity that Sir Clive didn't have the eye for quality as much as he had one for being totally original. Combined the two would have been deadly, the man was an absolute visionary. He's still around (75 now).
      - guiambros 11y ago
        Indeed. It seems he got bored too easily; sticking with one industry wasn't satisfying enough for him. I guess serial entrepreneur would be the buzzword these days.

by to3m 11y ago

timthorn 11y ago

And Steve Furber's Centre for Computing History interview: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ZMEBj3FM2aw https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ZMEBj3FM2aw

rasz_pl 11y ago
dont forget Hermann Hauser, Acorn cofounder: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Y0sC3lT313Q&list=PLQsxaNhYv8daKdGi7s85ubzbWdTB36-_q&index=18 https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Y0sC3lT313Q&list=PLQsxaNhYv8... great stories in this interview

guiambros 11y ago

Somewhat related: Micro Men [1], a semi-documentary/drama movie about Sinclair's rivalry against Acorn computers in late 70s and early 80s. Sophie Wilson herself plays a quick cameo role towards the very end. [1] https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=hco_Av2DJ8o https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=hco_Av2DJ8o

jacquesm 11y ago
They never were in the same space. Sir Clive made things cheap, Acorn made things well.
- guiambros 11y ago
  Their stories are very interconnected, though. If Christopher Curry hadn't worked for/with Sir Clive for 13+ years and learned about electronic calculators, probably he would have never discovered the upcoming wave of personal computers. Also, it seems that Sir Clive's lack of vision for the future of computers, and his scattered mad-inventor-turned-businessman, were the main reasons for Cambridge Processing Unit Ltd - later Acorn Computers - being created in the first place. Somewhat, the supercomputer we carry in our pockets these days are a direct consequence of Sir Clive's actions (or inactions).
  - jacquesm 11y ago
    I'll be more than happy to concede those points. It's a pity that Sir Clive didn't have the eye for quality as much as he had one for being totally original. Combined the two would have been deadly, the man was an absolute visionary. He's still around (75 now).
    - guiambros 11y ago
      Indeed. It seems he got bored too easily; sticking with one industry wasn't satisfying enough for him. I guess serial entrepreneur would be the buzzword these days.