Editing Clive Sinclair (section)

===Sinclair Radionics===
{{Main|Sinclair Radionics}}
[[File:SinclairExecutive-01.jpg|thumb|right|[[Sinclair Executive]] pocket calculator (launched in 1972)]]

Sinclair's Micro Kit was formalised in an exercise book dated 19 June 1958, three weeks before his [[A-level (United Kingdom)|A-levels]]. Sinclair drew a radio circuit, Model Mark I, with a [[electronic component|component]]s list: cost per set 9/11 (49½p), plus coloured wire and solder, nuts and bolts, plus celluloid chassis (drilled) for nine shillings (45p). Also in the book are the advertisement rates for ''Radio Constructor'' at the time (9d (3¾p)/word, minimum 6/- (30p))  and ''Practical Wireless'' (5/6 (27½p) per line or part line). Sinclair estimated producing 1,000 a month, placing orders with suppliers for 10,000 of each component to be delivered.<ref name="Microkit">{{harvnb|Dale|1985|pages=6,7}}</ref>

Sinclair wrote a book for Bernard's Publishing, ''Practical transistor receivers Book 1'', which appeared in January 1959. It was re-printed late that year and nine times subsequently. His practical stereo handbook was published in June 1959 and reprinted seven times over 14 years. The last book Sinclair wrote as an employee of Bernard's was ''Modern Transistor Circuits for Beginners'', published in May 1962.<ref>{{harvnb|Dale|1985|page=11}}</ref> At [[Bernard Babani]], he wrote 13 [[#Publications|constructor books]].<ref name="Dale 1985 page=13">{{harvnb|Dale|1985|page=13}}</ref>

In 1961, Sinclair registered Sinclair Radionics Ltd. His original choice, ''Sinclair Electronics'', had been taken; ''Sinclair Radio'' was available but did not sound right. Sinclair Radionics was formed on 25 July 1961.<ref name="dale formation"/> Sinclair made two attempts to raise [[Venture capital|startup capital]] to advertise his inventions and buy components. He designed [[Printed circuit board|PCB]] kits and licensed some technology.<ref>{{Cite web|url=http://www.americanradiohistory.com/hd2/IDX-UK/Technology/Technology-All-Eras/Archive-Practical-Wireless-IDX/IDX/60s/PW-1962-12-IDX-86.pdf|title=Sinclair Radionics advertisement in December 1962 issue of Practical Wireless magazine.}}</ref> Then he took his design for a miniature [[Transistor radio|transistor pocket radio]] and sought a backer for its production in kit form. Eventually he found someone who agreed to buy 55% of his company for £3,000, but the deal didn't finalise.<ref name="dale formation"/>

Sinclair, unable to find capital, joined United Trade Press (UTP) as technical editor of ''Instrument Practice''. Sinclair appeared in the publication as an assistant editor in March 1962. Sinclair described making [[Planar process|silicon planar transistors]], their properties and applications and hoped they might be available by the end of 1962. Sinclair undertook a survey of [[semiconductor]] devices for ''Instrument Practice'', which appeared in four sections between September 1962 and January 1963.<ref name="dale formation">{{harvnb|Dale|1985|pages=11–12}}</ref>

[[File:Sinclair_Black_Watch.jpg|thumb|right|Sinclair Radionics [[Black Watch (wristwatch)|Black Watch]] (launched in 1975)]]
His last appearance as assistant editor was in April 1969. Through UTP, Sinclair had access to thousands of devices from 36 manufacturers. He contacted [[Semiconductors Ltd]] (who at that time sold semiconductors made by [[Plessey]])<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.wylie.org.uk/technology/semics/Semics/Semics.htm |title=Vintage Semiconductors Ltd transistors |work=Mister Transistor's Historic Semiconductors |year= 2010|access-date=5 May 2011}}</ref> and ordered rejects to repair. He produced a design for a miniature radio powered by a couple of [[Battery (electricity)|hearing aid cells]] and made a deal with Semiconductors to buy its [[micro-alloy transistor]]s at 6d (2½p) each in boxes of 10,000. He then carried out his own quality control tests, and marketed his renamed MAT 100 and 120 at 7s 9d (38¾p) and 101 and 121 at 8s 6d (42½p).<ref name="Dale 1985 page=13"/>

By the late 1960s and early 1970s, Sinclair Radionics was producing handheld electronic calculators, miniature televisions, and the digital [[Black Watch (wristwatch)|Black Watch]] wristwatch. The latter product, introduced in 1975, was a significant failure for Sinclair: in addition to being unable to meet demand, the watch itself was found to be inaccurate and difficult to service, and its battery life was too short.<ref>{{Cite web|title=Sinclair 'Black Watch' with LED display {{!}} Science Museum Group Collection|url=https://collection.sciencemuseumgroup.org.uk/objects/co423732/sinclair-black-watch-with-led-display-quartz-led-digital-wristwatch|access-date=16 September 2021|website=collection.sciencemuseumgroup.org.uk|language=en}}</ref> Sinclair Radionics suffered its first financial loss in 1975–1976, and Sinclair sought potential investors to help recover the lost funds. He eventually worked with the [[National Enterprise Board]] (NEB), which bought a 43% interest in the company in 1976, but this injection of funds was found to be too late as by this point, other companies were starting to make similar products at lower costs on the market. The NEB streamlined Sinclair Radionics' product line, selling off the watch and television lines, and brought in Norman Hewitt as a managing director to assist Sinclair. While Sinclair made efforts to work with Hewitt and the NEB, his relationship with these worsened, as the NEB had little faith in Sinclair's vision. By 1979, the NEB opted to break up Sinclair Radionics, holding its instruments division as Sinclair Electronics, and selling its television division to [[Binatone]] and its calculator division to ESL Bristol. Sinclair himself left the company at this point.<ref>{{harvnb||Dale|1985|pages=77–88}}</ref> Effectively NEB wrote off its estimated £7 million investment into Sinclair Radionics as a loss.<ref name="nytimes 1981"/><ref name="the times obit"/> Sinclair was given a [[golden handshake]] and an estimated £10,000 package with the dissolution of his company.<ref name="nytimes 1981"/><ref name="the times obit">{{cite web | url = https://www.thetimes.com/uk/obituaries/article/sir-clive-sinclair-obituary-jjgjq296k | title = Sir Clive Sinclair obituary | date = 16 September 2021 |url-access=subscription| work = [[The Times]] }}</ref>