Editing Nascom (section)

== History ==

The history of Nascom starts with the history of John A. Marshall. Marshall was the "& Son" of "A Marshall & Son (London) Ltd",<ref name="FromTheHorsesMouth" /> an electronic component retailer whose adverts were a regular feature in hobby electronics magazines from as early as 1967.<ref>{{cite journal |last1=A Marshall & Son |title=Advert |journal=Practical Electronics |date=November 1967 |page=858 |url=https://worldradiohistory.com/UK/Practical-Electronics/60s/Practical-Electronics-1967-11.pdf |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200831084926/https://worldradiohistory.com/UK/Practical-Electronics/60s/Practical-Electronics-1967-11.pdf |archive-date=2020-08-31 |url-status=live |access-date=21 May 2022}}</ref>

Marshall was a director of a company called Nasco Sales Ltd; a UK distributor of US [[semiconductors]]. He was also connected with a company called Lynx Electronics (London) Ltd. which had been a regular advertiser in the hobby electronics press since 1976.<ref name="EarlyLynxAdvert">{{cite journal |last1=Lynx Electronics (London) Ltd |title=Advert |journal=Practical Electronics |date=August 1976 |page=668 |url=https://worldradiohistory.com/UK/Practical-Electronics/70s/Practical-Electronics-1976-08.pdf |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200824143152/https://worldradiohistory.com/UK/Practical-Electronics/70s/Practical-Electronics-1976-08.pdf |archive-date=2020-08-24 |url-status=live |access-date=21 May 2022}}</ref>

During a business trip to California in the Autumn of 1976, Marshall attended an amateur computer club meeting at [[Stanford University]]. On the flight home, he started to wonder whether there was a market in the UK for a kit computer. Marshall used the price of an [[SLR camera]] (about £200) as a reference point for the amount someone might be prepared to spend on a "hobby" purchase.<ref name="FromTheHorsesMouth" />

At the end of 1976, Marshall attended a [[microprocessor]] seminar at Imperial College and met Phil Pitman. Pitman was the marketing manager for Mostek, which had recently become a second source for Zilog's Z80 processor.<ref name="FromTheHorsesMouth" /> Pitman put Marshall in touch with a design consultant named Chris Shelton and, in the spring of 1977, Marshall commissioned Shelton Instruments to design the Nascom 1.<ref name=ChrisShelton />

Most of the details of the Nascom design were described in a series of articles by Pitman that appeared in Wireless World between November 1977 and January 1979.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.nascomhomepage.com/pics/wireless-world/1-intro1.png|title=Wireless World|date=November 1977|website=The Nascom Homepage}}</ref>

By July 1977, monthly magazine adverts by Lynx Electronics were starting to hint about a microprocessor seminar in the autumn and a forthcoming computer product.<ref name="LynxWatchThisSpaceAd">{{cite journal |last1=Lynx Electronics (London) Ltd |title=Watch This Space |journal=Practical Electronics |date=July 1977 |url=https://worldradiohistory.com/UK/Practical-Electronics/70s/Practical-Electronics-1977-07.pdf |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200831100232/https://worldradiohistory.com/UK/Practical-Electronics/70s/Practical-Electronics-1977-07.pdf |archive-date=2020-08-31 |url-status=live |access-date=21 May 2022}}</ref>

On Saturday, 26 November 1977, Lynx Electronics launched the Nascom 1 at their "Home Microcomputer Symposium" at [[Wembley Conference Centre]], [[London]].<ref name="LynxForumAd">{{cite journal |last1=Lynx Electronics (London) Ltd |title=The Home Computer Forum |journal=Practical Electronics |date=November 1977 |page=212 |url=https://worldradiohistory.com/UK/Practical-Electronics/70s/Practical-Electronics-1977-11.pdf |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200824143921/https://worldradiohistory.com/UK/Practical-Electronics/70s/Practical-Electronics-1977-11.pdf |archive-date=2020-08-24 |url-status=live}}</ref> Tickets cost £3.50 and hosting the event on a Saturday pitched it at an amateur/hobbyist rather than a professional audience. The event included a raffle for a Nascom 1 computer kit. About 550 people attended the [[academic conference|symposium]] and over 300 kits were sold in the two weeks following the launch.<ref name="N1LaunchKerrBorland">{{cite journal |title=News Briefs |journal=Practical Electronics |page=417 |url=https://worldradiohistory.com/UK/Practical-Electronics/70s/Practical-Electronics-1978-02.pdf |access-date=21 May 2022}}</ref>

The symposium was covered in detail in Issue 1 of [[Personal Computer World|PCW]] magazine and the Nascom 1 was the cover
photograph for that issue (though not with the final keyboard). An article in
that issue<ref>{{cite journal |last1=Borland |first1=Kerr |title=Yours To Command |journal=Personal Computer World |issue=1 |page=20 |url=https://worldradiohistory.com/UK/Personal-Computer-World/70s/Personal-Computer-World-Vol.1-No.1-S-OCR.pdf |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200708180804/https://worldradiohistory.com/UK/Personal-Computer-World/70s/Personal-Computer-World-Vol.1-No.1-S-OCR.pdf |archive-date=2020-07-08 |url-status=live |access-date=21 May 2022}}</ref> by K. S. Borland (another director of Nasco Sales
Ltd) described the origins and history of the Nascom 1 design.

In January 1978, the Lynx Electronics advert in Practical Electronics listed the Nascom 1 in addition to their traditional list of electronic components. By February 1978 and thereafter the whole of their advert was devoted to the Nascom 1.<ref name="LynxLaunchAd">{{cite journal |last1=Lynx Electronics (London) Ltd |title=Advert |journal=Practical Electronics |date=February 1978 |page=416 |url=https://worldradiohistory.com/UK/Practical-Electronics/70s/Practical-Electronics-1978-02.pdf |access-date=21 May 2022}}</ref>

After the success of their seminar in [[Wembley]], Lynx electronics held a similar event in [[Manchester]] (Saturday, 1 April 1978. Tickets cost £5.50).<ref>{{cite journal |last1=Lynx Electronics (London) Ltd |title=Advert: Manchester seminar |journal=Practical Electronics |date=April 1978 |page=614 |url=https://worldradiohistory.com/UK/Practical-Electronics/70s/Practical-Electronics-1978-04.pdf |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200831101058/https://worldradiohistory.com/UK/Practical-Electronics/70s/Practical-Electronics-1978-04.pdf |archive-date=2020-08-31 |url-status=live |access-date=21 May 2022}}</ref>

The launch price for the Nascom 1 was £197.50 plus 8% [[VAT]],<ref name="LynxLaunchAd" /> in kit form. The kit included keyboard and sockets for some (but not all) of the [[integrated circuit|ICs]]. The purchaser needed to supply a TV, a cassette recorder and a power supply. Over its lifetime, the price was reduced to £165 + [[VAT]] (March 1979) then £125 + [[VAT]] or £140 + [[VAT]] assembled (January 1980).

By July 1978, The Micronics Company was advertising a cased, built and tested Nascom 1 (with power supply) for £399 + [[VAT]].<ref>{{cite journal |last1=The Micronics Company |title=Advert |journal=Personal Computer World |date=July 1978 |page=45 |url=https://worldradiohistory.com/UK/Personal-Computer-World/70s/Personal-Computer-World-Vol.1-No.3-S-OCR.pdf |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200708180532/https://worldradiohistory.com/UK/Personal-Computer-World/70s/Personal-Computer-World-Vol.1-No.3-S-OCR.pdf |archive-date=2020-07-08 |url-status=live |access-date=21 May 2022}}</ref> The advert does not name the machine as a Nascom 1 but the specification is identical.

By January 1979, Lynx Electronics had appointed multiple dealers in the UK and were advertising as Nascom Microcomputers, with the "nm" logo.<ref name="NascomDealerAd">{{cite journal |last1=Nascom Microcomputers |title=Advert |journal=Electronics Today International |date=January 1979 |page=46 |url=https://worldradiohistory.com/UK/Electronics-Today-UK/70s/ETI-1979-01.pdf |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200708222531/https://worldradiohistory.com/UK/Electronics-Today-UK/70s/ETI-1979-01.pdf |archive-date=2020-07-08 |url-status=live |access-date=21 May 2022}}</ref>

In September 1979, [[Personal Computer World|PCW]] reported that Grovewood Securities had invested £500,000 in Nascom.<ref name="PCWInvest">{{cite journal |last1=Kewney |first1=Guy |title=Newsprint |journal=Personal Computer World |date=September 1979 |page=30 |url=https://worldradiohistory.com/UK/Personal-Computer-World/70s/PCW-1979-09-S-OCR.pdf |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200708180448/https://worldradiohistory.com/UK/Personal-Computer-World/70s/PCW-1979-09-S-OCR.pdf |archive-date=2020-07-08 |url-status=live |access-date=22 May 2022}}</ref> The same article reported that [[PAL]] full-colour support would arrive for the Nascom by "the new year".

In September 1979, the Nascom 2 (kit) was announced with a list price of £295 + [[VAT]].<ref>{{cite journal |last1=Turpin |first1=Alan |last2=Shortland |first2=David |title=Market Place |journal=Practical Electronics |date=September 1979 |page=27 |url=https://worldradiohistory.com/UK/Practical-Electronics/70s/Practical-Electronics-1979-09.pdf |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200831102202/https://worldradiohistory.com/UK/Practical-Electronics/70s/Practical-Electronics-1979-09.pdf |archive-date=2020-08-31 |url-status=live |access-date=22 May 2022}}</ref>

Then, Nascom were hit by a shortage of Mostek MK4118 1Kx8 RAM devices. 10 devices were required per Nascom 2 (1 each for video RAM and workspace RAM respectively, 8 for user RAM) but Nascom were only able to source 5,000 parts.<ref name="PCWRAMShortage">{{cite magazine |last1=Kewney |first1=Guy |magazine=Personal Computer Work|title=Newsprint |date=December 1979 |page=32 |url=https://worldradiohistory.com/UK/Personal-Computer-World/70s/PCW-1979-12-S-OCR.pdf |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200708180527/https://worldradiohistory.com/UK/Personal-Computer-World/70s/PCW-1979-12-S-OCR.pdf |archive-date=2020-07-08 |url-status=live |access-date=22 May 2022}}</ref> By November 1979 Nascom had decided to relaunch the product with a 16Kbyte [[DRAM]] board and NASBUS interconnect but to keep the price at  £295 + [[VAT]].<ref name="FreeRAMAd">{{cite journal |last1=Nascom Microcomputers |title=Advert |journal=Personal Computer World |date=November 1979 |page=21 |url=https://worldradiohistory.com/UK/Personal-Computer-World/70s/PCW-1979-11-S-OCR.pdf |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200708180608/https://worldradiohistory.com/UK/Personal-Computer-World/70s/PCW-1979-11-S-OCR.pdf |archive-date=2020-07-08 |url-status=live}}</ref> This arrangement only required 2 MK4118 devices, allowing Nascom to ship 2,500 systems. By December 1979, PCW reported that the first deliveries of the Nascom 2 were going out.<ref name="PCWRAMShortage" />

On 23 May 1980, Nascom reported<ref>{{cite journal |title=Nascom in danger -- or is it? |journal=Wireless World |date=August 1980 |page=54 |url=https://worldradiohistory.com/UK/Wireless-World/80s/Wireless-World-1980-08-S-OCR.pdf |access-date=22 May 2022}}</ref> that it had asked Grovewood Securities Ltd to appoint a receiver after it had been unable to secure further investment. Grovewood appointed Messrs Cork Gully, and Marshall resigned from the company to start a new business, Gemini Computers.<ref name="FromTheHorsesMouth" />

Nascom continued to trade in receivership. In July 1981, [[Personal Computer World|PCW]] reported<ref name="PCWLucasBuysNascom">{{cite journal |last1=Kewney |first1=Guy |title=Newsprint: Lucas buys Nascom |journal=Personal Computer World |date=July 1981 |page=50 |url=https://worldradiohistory.com/UK/Personal-Computer-World/80s/PCW-1981-08-S-OCR.pdf |access-date=22 May 2022}}</ref> that Nascom had been bought by [[Lucas Industries]]; the same issue contained a full-page advert under the name "Nascom Microcomputers. Division of Lucas Logic Ltd".<ref name="PCWLucasAd">{{cite journal |last1=Nascom Computers |title=Advert |journal=Personal Computer World |date=July 1981 |page=52 |url=https://worldradiohistory.com/UK/Personal-Computer-World/80s/PCW-1981-08-S-OCR.pdf |access-date=22 May 2022}}</ref>

In December 1981, the Nascom 3 was launched.<ref>{{cite journal |last1=Nascom Microcomputers |title=Advert |journal=Personal Computer World |date=December 1981 |page=100 |url=https://worldradiohistory.com/UK/Personal-Computer-World/80s/PCW-1981-12-S-OCR.pdf |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210308203001/https://worldradiohistory.com/UK/Personal-Computer-World/80s/PCW-1981-12-S-OCR.pdf |archive-date=2021-03-08 |url-status=live |access-date=22 May 2022}}</ref> This was basically a cased Nascom 2 with some expansion boards.

In June 1984, the final issue of the Nascom Newsletter was published.<ref name="LastNewsletter">{{cite magazine |magazine=Nascom Newsletter |last1=Clemmett |first1=Ian J. |title=Editorial |date=June 1984 |page=2 |url=https://80bus.co.uk.mirror.jloh.de/publications/magazines/Nascom-Newsletter-3-5_6.pdf |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180524072626/https://80bus.co.uk.mirror.jloh.de/publications/magazines/Nascom-Newsletter-3-5_6.pdf |archive-date=2018-05-24 |url-status=live}}</ref>

In January 1985, [[Personal Computer World|PCW]] published a letter from Lucas Nascom stating that, while the Nascom 1 had been discontinued, the Nascom 2 and Nascom 3 were still in production.<ref name="PCWFinalSight">{{cite journal |last1=Seddon |first1=Peter |title=The Nascom Lives! |journal=Personal Computer World |date=January 1985 |page=131 |url=https://worldradiohistory.com/UK/Personal-Computer-World/80s/PCW-1985-01-S-OCR.pdf |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220522223512/https://worldradiohistory.com/UK/Personal-Computer-World/80s/PCW-1985-01-S-OCR.pdf |archive-date=2022-05-22 |url-status=live |access-date=22 May 2022}}</ref>