It is probably the memory of this thing that started our crazy habit of collecting calculators and then specialising in Sinclair memorabilia finally resulting in us creating RetroKit. It was whilst reading Everyday Electronics (a British hobbyist magazine) that I first came across the Sinclair Executive calculator (RetroKit are the proud owners of an Executive) and the sight of this marvel has stayed with me ever since. The only other example I had seen for real prior to acquiring one was in the Science Museum in London (albeit mutilated to display the innards!).

The design of this calculator won praise and awards. At the time it was the slimmest calculator by miles. I have compared it with a Texas Instruments Datamath II from the same period - its like comparing today's Jaguar XK8 with a Ford Cortina from 1972.


Sinclair's mind was driven by producing such devices. If he only had the business skills that evaded him he may have been in the sort of position that Bill Gates is now!

Somebody once compared the Executive with a piece of jewelry. It is easy to understand why they thought this. The Executive is something to look at rather than use. It can sit quite happily on the mantel and compete with the other ornaments. .