Sinclair ZX81 Two-Tone Coffee Mug

Before the release of the massively popular ZX Spectrum, home computing came in the form of the ZX81. With no colour or sound and only 1 kilobyte of RAM memory, the ZX81 was nonetheless capable of welcoming 1980s kids into the world of computer programming and home gaming. With the release of the 16k RAM pack, new possibilities opened up, and a range of simple but effective games appeared to support the machine. Although 1980s retro gaming is more likely to be nostalgic about Spectrum games, pioneering classics like 3D Monster Maze for the ZX81 showed just how much was possible with limited power. Real commitment was needed to get the most out of a ZX81, with possibly the most uncomfortable keyboard in computing history and a tendency to crash in new an unexpect ways, the machine wasn't for the faint of heart. However, it was successful enough to pave the way for the Spectrum, which in turn became the first mass-market home computer to really take hold, and set the scene for the home computing boom that continues to this day.