Editing Acorn Computers (section)

===Early history===
<!--[[File:AcornComputersLtdLogo.jpg|thumb|Former acorn logo 1978–2000]]-->
On 25 July 1961, [[Clive Sinclair]] founded [[Sinclair Radionics]] to develop and sell electronic devices such as [[calculator]]s.{{citation needed|date=April 2012}} The failure of the ''[[Black Watch (wristwatch)|Black Watch]]'' wristwatch and the calculator market's move from [[light-emitting diode|LEDs]] to [[Liquid-crystal display|LCDs]] led to financial problems, and Sinclair approached a government body, the [[National Enterprise Board]] (NEB), for help.<ref>{{cite book |last1=Adamson |first1=Ian |last2=Kennedy |first2=Richard |title=Sinclair and the Sunrise Technology: The Deconstruction of a Myth |date=1986 |publisher=Penguin Books LTD |location=Harmondsworth, England |isbn=978-0-14-008774-1 |pages=262 |edition=1st}}</ref> After losing control of the company to the NEB, Sinclair encouraged [[Christopher Curry (businessman)|Chris Curry]] to leave Radionics and get Science of Cambridge (SoC—an early name for [[Sinclair Research]]) up and running. In June 1978, SoC launched a microcomputer kit, the [[MK14]], that Curry wanted to develop further, but Sinclair could not be persuaded so Curry resigned.<ref name="EMTWorldWide 2008-04-15">{{cite web | url = http://www.emtworldwide.com/article/14402/UK-electronics-a-fallen-or-sleeping-giant-.aspx | title = UK electronics – a fallen or sleeping giant? | access-date = 2011-07-06 | last = Sethi | first = Anand | date = 2008-04-15 | work = EMT WorldWide | publisher = IML Group | quote = One of Sir Clive's long term employees, Chris Curry quit because of differences over the technology roadmap [...] Finding nothing readily available on the market including from the leading US chip manufacturers [...] RISC processor called ARM which basically had the design ethos of the simple 6502 but in a 32 bit RISC environment making it that much simpler to fabricate and test. | url-status = dead | archive-url = https://web.archive.org/web/20111005224457/http://www.emtworldwide.com/article/14402/UK-electronics-a-fallen-or-sleeping-giant-.aspx | archive-date = 5 October 2011}}</ref> During the development of the MK14, [[Hermann Hauser]], a friend of Curry's, had been visiting SoC's offices and had grown interested in the product.

====CPU Ltd. (1978–1983)====

Curry and Hauser decided to pursue their joint interest in microcomputers and, on 5 December 1978, they set up '''Cambridge Processor Unit Ltd.''' (CPU) as the vehicle with which to do this.<ref name = first1>{{cite journal|title=Speciation through entrepreneurial spin-off: The Acorn-ARM story|last1=Garnsey|first1=Elizabeth|last2=Lorenzoni|first2=Gianni|last3= Ferriani |first3= Simone |journal= Research Policy|volume=37|issue=2|year=2008|pages=210–224 |doi=10.1016/j.respol.2007.11.006 |s2cid=73520408 |url=http://openaccess.city.ac.uk/19249/1/Speciation%20through%20Entrepreneurial%20Spin-off.pdf}}</ref> CPU soon obtained a consultancy contract to develop a microprocessor-based controller for a [[slot machine|fruit machine]] for Ace Coin Equipment (ACE) of [[Wales]]. The ACE project was started at office space obtained at 4a Market Hill in Cambridge. Initially, the ACE controller was based on a [[National Semiconductor SC/MP]] microprocessor, but soon the switch to a [[MOS Technology 6502]] was made.

====The microcomputer systems====
{{More citations needed|section called "The microcomputer systems"|date=March 2010}}
CPU had financed the development of a SC/MP based microcomputer system using the income from its design-and-build consultancy.

This system was launched in January 1979 as the first product of '''Acorn Computer Ltd.''', a trading name used by CPU to keep the risks of the two different lines of business separate. Acorn was chosen because the microcomputer system was to be expandable and growth-oriented. It also had the attraction of appearing before "[[Apple Inc.|Apple Computer]]" in a telephone directory.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.businessweekly.co.uk/news/cambridge-torchbearers/arm-and-man-hauser%E2%80%99s-list-legacy-stands-test-time%7Cdate=July|title=News - Business Weekly - Technology News - Business news - Cambridge and the East of England|website=businessweekly.co.uk|url-status=dead|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160305021446/http://www.businessweekly.co.uk/news/cambridge-torchbearers/arm-and-man-hauser%E2%80%99s-list-legacy-stands-test-time%7Cdate=July|archive-date=5 March 2016|access-date=12 May 2018}}</ref>

[[File:Acorn Computers price list 1979 march.png|thumb|upright|left|March 1979 price list]]
Around this time, CPU and [[Andy Hopper]] set up ''Orbis Ltd.'' to commercialise the [[Cambridge Ring (computer network)|Cambridge Ring]] networking system Hopper had worked on for his [[Doctor of Philosophy|PhD]], but it was soon decided to bring him into CPU as a director because he could promote CPU's interests at the [[University of Cambridge Computer Laboratory]].

CPU purchased Orbis, and Hopper's Orbis shares were exchanged for shares in CPU Ltd. CPU's role gradually changed as its Acorn brand grew, and soon CPU was simply the holding company and Acorn was responsible for development work.

At some point, Curry had a disagreement with Sinclair and formally left Science of Cambridge, but did not join the other Acorn employees at Market Hill until a little while later.

[[File:AcornSystem1.jpg|thumb|The [[Acorn System 1]], upper board; this one was shipped on 9 April 1979.]]
The Acorn Microcomputer, later renamed the [[Acorn System 1]], was designed by [[Sophie Wilson]] (then Roger Wilson). It was a semi-professional system aimed at engineering and laboratory users, but its price was low enough, at around £80 ({{Inflation|UK-GDP|80|1979|r=-1|fmt=eq|cursign=£}}),<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.speleotrove.com/acorn/acornPriceList.gif|title=Acorn System 1 price list|website=speleotrove.com|url-status=dead|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120309184119/http://www.speleotrove.com/acorn/acornPriceList.gif|archive-date=9 March 2012|access-date=22 July 2010}}</ref> to appeal to the more serious enthusiast as well. It was a very small machine built on two cards, one with an [[light-emitting diode|LED]] display, keypad, and [[Compact audio cassette|cassette interface]] (the circuitry to the left of the keypad), and the other with the rest of the computer (including the [[central processing unit|CPU]]). Almost all CPU signals were accessible via a [[Eurocard (printed circuit board)|Eurocard]] connector.

The [[Acorn System 2|System 2]] made it easier to expand the system by putting the CPU card from the System 1 in a {{convert|19|in|mm|adj=on}}<!--mm are not primary here!--> Eurocard rack that allowed a number of optional additions.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://chrisacorns.computinghistory.org.uk/Computers/System2.html|last=Whytehead|first=Chris|title=Acorn System 2|website=Chris's Acorns|publisher=The Centre for Computing History|url-status=live|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210613044709/https://chrisacorns.computinghistory.org.uk/Computers/System2.html|archive-date=13 June 2021|access-date=2 September 2021}}</ref> The System 2 typically shipped with keyboard controller, external keyboard, a text display interface, and a cassette operating system with built-in [[BASIC]] [[interpreter (computer software)|interpreter]].

The [[Acorn System 3|System 3]] moved on by adding [[floppy disk]] support,<ref>{{cite web|url=https://chrisacorns.computinghistory.org.uk/Computers/System3.html|last=Whytehead|first=Chris|title=Acorn System 3|website=Chris's Acorns|publisher=The Centre for Computing History|url-status=live|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210613044714/https://chrisacorns.computinghistory.org.uk/Computers/System3.html|archive-date=13 June 2021|access-date=2 September 2021}}</ref> and the [[Acorn System 4|System 4]] by including a larger case with a second drive.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://chrisacorns.computinghistory.org.uk/Computers/System4.html|last=Whytehead|first=Chris|title=Acorn System 4|website=Chris's Acorns|publisher=The Centre for Computing History|url-status=live|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210613044704/https://chrisacorns.computinghistory.org.uk/Computers/System4.html|archive-date=13 June 2021|access-date=2 September 2021}}</ref> The [[Acorn System 5|System 5]] was largely similar to the System 4, but included a newer 2&nbsp;[[megahertz|MHz]] version of the [[MOS Technology 6502|6502]].<ref>{{cite web|url=http://acorn.chriswhy.co.uk/Computers/System5.html|last=Whytehead|first=Chris|title=Acorn System 5<!-- From the title element. Page title is "Acorn System Computers" but the page is specifically about the System 5 -->|website=Chris's Acorns|publisher=The Centre for Computing History|url-status=live|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210613044706/https://chrisacorns.computinghistory.org.uk/Computers/System5.html|archive-date=13 June 2021|access-date=2 September 2021}}</ref>

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====The Atom====
{{Main|Acorn Atom}}
{{More citations needed|section called "The Atom"|date=March 2010}}
[[File:Acorn atom zx1.jpg|thumb|The Acorn Atom]]
Development of the [[Sinclair ZX80]] started at Science of Cambridge in May 1979. Learning of this probably prompted Curry to conceive the [[Acorn Atom|Atom]] project to target the consumer market. Curry and another designer, Nick Toop, worked from Curry's home in [[the Fens]] on the development of this machine. It was at this time that Acorn Computers Ltd. was incorporated and Curry moved to Acorn full-time.

It was Curry who wanted to target the consumer market. Other factions within Acorn, including the engineers, were happy to be out of that market, considering a [[home computer]] to be a rather frivolous product for a company operating in the laboratory equipment market.

To keep costs down and not give the doubters reason to object to the Atom, Curry asked industrial designer [[Allen Boothroyd]] to design a case that could also function as an external keyboard for the microcomputer systems.

The internals of the System 3 were placed inside the keyboard, creating a quite typical set-up for an inexpensive home computer of the early 1980s: the relatively successful [[Acorn Atom]].

To facilitate software development, a proprietary local area network had been installed at Market Hill. It was decided to include this, the [[Econet]], in the Atom, and at its launch at a computer show in March 1980, eight networked Atoms were demonstrated with functions that allowed files to be shared, screens to be remotely viewed and keyboards to be remotely slaved.

====BBC Micro and the Electron====
{{Main|BBC Micro|Acorn Electron}}
[[File:BBC Micro Front Restored.jpg|thumb|The BBC micro released by Acorn in 1981]]
After the Atom had been released into the market, Acorn contemplated building modern [[16-bit computing|16-bit]] processors to replace the Atom. After a great deal of discussion, Hauser suggested a compromise—an improved 6502-based machine with far greater expansion capabilities: the Proton. Acorn's technical staff had not wanted to do the Atom and they now saw the Proton as their opportunity to "do it right".{{citation needed|date=September 2021|reason=Source was an "email from Sophie Wilson", which is not [[WP:RS|reliable or verifiable]]}}

One of the developments proposed for the Proton was the ''Tube'', a proprietary interface allowing a second processor to be added. This compromise would make for an affordable 6502 machine for the mass market which could be expanded with more sophisticated and expensive processors. The Tube enabled processing to be farmed out to the second processor leaving the 6502 to perform data [[input/output]] (I/O). The Tube would later be instrumental in the development of Acorn's [[ARM architecture family#History|ARM processor]].<ref>{{cite magazine |quote=Should Acorn abandon the 6502 processor which lay at the heart of all its machines? Should the next machine be full of the latest features or should it sacrifice advanced technology for the mass market? |title=From Atom to Arc |last=Attack |first=Carol |journal=Acorn User |date=October–December 1988}}</ref>

In early 1980, the [[BBC]] Further Education department conceived the idea of a computer literacy programme, mostly as a follow-up to an [[ITV (TV network)|ITV]] [[documentary film|documentary]], ''The Mighty Micro'', in which [[Christopher Evans (computer scientist)|Dr Christopher Evans]] from the UK [[National Physical Laboratory (United Kingdom)|National Physical Laboratory]] predicted the coming [[microcomputer revolution]].<ref>{{Cite web|url=http://www.offthetelly.co.uk/?page_id=568|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20111128100448/http://www.offthetelly.co.uk/?page_id=568|url-status=dead|website=Off the Telly |title=Standby for a Data-Blast |first=Jack |last=Kibble-White |date=December 2005|archive-date=28 November 2011}}</ref> It was a very influential documentary—so much so that questions were asked in [[Parliament of the United Kingdom|Parliament]]. As a result of these questions, the [[Department of Industry]] (DoI) became interested in the programme, as did [[BBC Enterprises]], which saw an opportunity to sell a machine to go with the series. BBC Engineering was instructed to draw up an objective specification for a computer to accompany the series.

Eventually, under some pressure from the DoI to choose a British system, the BBC chose the [[Grundy NewBrain|NewBrain]] from Newbury Laboratories. This selection revealed the extent of the pressure brought to bear on the supposedly independent BBC's computer literacy project—Newbury was owned by the [[National Enterprise Board]], a government agency operating in close collaboration with the DoI. The choice was also somewhat ironic given that the NewBrain started life as a Sinclair Radionics project, and it was Sinclair's preference for developing it over Science of Cambridge's MK14 that led to Curry leaving SoC to found CPU with Hauser.{{Citation needed|date=August 2009}} The NEB moved the NewBrain to Newbury after Sinclair left Radionics and went to SoC.

In 1980–1982, the British [[Department for Education and Skills (United Kingdom)|Department of Education and Science]] (DES) had begun the [[Microelectronics Education Programme]] to introduce microprocessing concepts and educational materials. In 1981, through to 1986, the DoI allocated funding to assist UK local education authorities to supply their schools with a range of computers, the {{nowrap|BBC Micro}} being one of the most popular. Schools were offered 50% of the cost of computers, providing they chose one of three models: BBC Micro, {{nowrap|ZX Spectrum}} or [[Research Machines 380Z]].<ref>{{cite news | first = Nick | last = Langley | title = Schools: the early learning curve | date = 1989-09-09 | work = [[New Scientist]] | pages = 65 | quote = In 1981 the British government launched a scheme which offered schools 50% of the cost of a computer from one of three suppliers. The computers were the Sinclair Spectrum, the BBC Micro from Acorn and the Research Machines 380Z, all 8-bit machines.}}</ref> In parallel, the DES continued to fund more materials for the computers, such as software and applied computing projects, plus teacher training.

[[File:Acorn Electron 4x3.jpg|thumb|left|The [[Acorn Electron|Electron]], Acorn's sub-£200 competitor to the [[ZX Spectrum]] ]]
Although the NewBrain was under heavy development by Newbury, it soon became clear that they were not going to be able to produce it—certainly not in time for the literacy programme nor to the BBC's specification. The BBC's programmes, initially scheduled for autumn 1981, were moved back to spring 1982. After Curry and Sinclair found out about the BBC's plans, the BBC allowed other manufacturers to submit their proposals. Hauser quickly drafted in [[Steve Furber]] (who had been working for Acorn on a voluntary basis since the ACE fruit machine project) and [[Sophie Wilson]] to help complete a revised version of the Proton which met the BBC's specifications. BBC visited Acorn and were given a demonstration of the Proton. Shortly afterwards, the literacy programme computer contract was awarded to Acorn, and the Proton was launched in December 1981 as the [[BBC Micro]]. In April 1984, Acorn won the [[Queen's Award for Technology]] for the BBC Micro. The award paid special tribute to the BBC Micro's advanced design, and it commended Acorn "for the development of a microcomputer system with many innovative features".

[[File:BBC Micro people in 2008.jpg|thumb|Principal creators of the BBC micro in 2008, some 26 years after its release]]
In April 1982, Sinclair launched the [[ZX Spectrum]]. Curry conceived of the [[Acorn Electron|Electron]] as Acorn's sub-£200 competitor. In many ways a cut-down BBC Micro, it used one Acorn-designed [[Gate array|uncommitted logic array]] (ULA) to reproduce most of the functionality. But problems in producing the ULAs led to short supply, and the Electron, although launched in August 1983, was not on the market in sufficient numbers to capitalise on the 1983 Christmas sales period. Acorn resolved to avoid this problem in 1984 and negotiated new production contracts. Acorn became more known for its {{nowrap|BBC Micro}} {{nowrap|model B}} than for its other products.<ref>{{cite news|last=Sadauskas|first=Andrew|title=BBC Micro B lives on: Strong growth for ARM after increased tablet and smartphone use|url=http://www.smartcompany.com.au/information-technology/050914-bbc-micro-b-lives-on-strong-growth-for-arm-after-increased-tablet-and-smartphone-use.html|access-date=7 August 2012|newspaper=SmartCompany|date=27 July 2012|url-status=dead|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120728230947/http://www.smartcompany.com.au/information-technology/050914-bbc-micro-b-lives-on-strong-growth-for-arm-after-increased-tablet-and-smartphone-use.html|archive-date=28 July 2012}}</ref>

In 2008, the [[Computer Conservation Society]] organised an event at London's [[Science Museum, London|Science Museum]] to mark the legacy of the BBC Micro. A number of the BBC Micro's principal creators were present, and Sophie Wilson recounted to the BBC how Hermann Hauser tricked her and Steve Furber to agree to create the physical prototype in less than five days.<ref>{{cite news|title=BBC Micro ignites memories of revolution|url=http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/technology/7307636.stm|work=[[BBC News]]|date=2008-03-21|access-date=2011-06-29|url-status = live|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20080407140141/http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/technology/7307636.stm|archive-date=7 April 2008}}</ref> Also in 2008 a number of former staff organised a reunion event to mark the 30th anniversary of the company's formation.<ref>{{cite web | url = http://www.drobe.co.uk/riscos/artifact2200.html | title = Acorn celebs to mark 30th anniversary with reunion | access-date = 2011-07-21 | date = 2008-01-28 | website = [[Drobe]] | quote = Top Acorn Computers luminaries are planning a reunion for former company staff to mark the firm's 30th birthday, drobe.co.uk has learned. | url-status = dead | archive-url = https://web.archive.org/web/20120210072848/http://www.drobe.co.uk/riscos/artifact2200.html | archive-date = 10 February 2012}}</ref><ref>{{cite web | url = http://www.reghardware.com/2008/08/28/acorn_30_reunion/ | title = Acorn alumni to toast tech pioneer's 30th anniversary | access-date = 2011-07-21 | last = Smith | first = Tony | date = 2008-08-28 | work = RegHardware, [[The Register]] | quote = Some 400 staffers from that flag bearer of the 1980s UK home computing revolution, Acorn, are to gather next month to celebrate the 30th anniversary of the firm's foundation. | url-status = dead | archive-url = https://web.archive.org/web/20110525053906/http://www.reghardware.com/2008/08/28/acorn_30_reunion/ | archive-date = 25 May 2011}}</ref><ref>{{cite news | url = http://www.zdnet.co.uk/news/desktop-hardware/2008/08/29/acorn-to-celebrate-30th-anniversary-39472541/ | title = Acorn to celebrate 30th anniversary | access-date = 2011-07-21 | last1 = Goodwins | first1 = Rupert | last2 = Barker | first2 = Colin | date = 2008-08-29 | work = [[ZDNet]] | quote = Thirteenth of September will see the 30th anniversary of UK technology company Acorn Computers, famous in the 1980s 8-bit boom for its 6502-based microcomputers such as the Electron, Atom and BBC Micro. Some 400 previous employees and guests are expected at a celebratory party, which will be held in the grounds of Cherry Hinton Hall, Cambridge, close to the company's old HQ. | url-status = dead | archive-url = https://web.archive.org/web/20100701201148/http://www.zdnet.co.uk/news/desktop-hardware/2008/08/29/acorn-to-celebrate-30th-anniversary-39472541/ | archive-date = 1 July 2010}}</ref><ref>{{cite web | url = http://www.businessweekly.co.uk/hi-tech/10127-mighty-acorn-holding-30th-anniversary-reunion-bash?date=2011-02-01 | title = Mighty Acorn holding 30th anniversary reunion bash | access-date = 2011-07-18 | date = 2008-08-28 | work = Business Weekly | quote = Around 400 ex-Acorn employees and guests are expected to attend the event in Cambridge on September 13th. It will be held in the grounds of Cherry Hinton Hall, close to the company's old headquarters building. | url-status = dead | archive-url = https://web.archive.org/web/20120313112915/http://www.businessweekly.co.uk/hi-tech/10127-mighty-acorn-holding-30th-anniversary-reunion-bash?date=2011-02-01 | archive-date = 13 March 2012}}</ref>
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