Torch Computers Ltd was a computer hardware company formed in 1981. It became particularly well-known for its computer peripherals for the BBC Micro.
Torch Computers was founded in 1981 by chartered accountants Martin Vlieland Body, Peter Harris, and Russell Lyons. The founders all knew Hermann Hauser and Chris Curry of Acorn Computers. Acorn occupied part of their office space in Bridge Street, Cambridge, before moving to new offices, and Torch moved to Abberley House in Great Shelford in 1983.
Torch made an agreement with Acorn Computers in 1981 to be supplied with BBC Micro motherboards, and it used these to create a twin Processor PC that linked the Acorn motherboard to a Z80 B processor, enabling it to run business software. Known as the Torch Communicator, this system was the first PC to be authorised by British Telecom for direct connection into the BT Telephone system rather than via an Acoustic Coupler. It was supplied with Torch’s own range of software which included a Torch Word, Word Processor, Accounting, and Torch Mail which was one of the first E-mail Systems. The Torch casing was designed by Iain Sinclair, brother of Sir Clive Sinclair.
The second product Torch produced was a Z80 Disk Pack for use with the BBC Micro Computer. This was followed by a range of 16-bit triple processor machines incorporating the Motorola 68000 using Unix as their main operating system.
The company was initially funded by a DTI backed start-up loan via Barclays Bank of £250,000 in 1981, which enabled it to undertake the necessary R&D and design and build its first prototypes by April in the following year. In order to move into production and start sales and marketing, it raised £500,000 in exchange for 20% of the company’s equity from New Market Venture Capital, in a deal signed on 13th May, 1982. A further £263,000 was provided by the Welsh Development Agency for 3% of the company’s stock later that year.
The company manufactured its products at its own factory in Caernarvon, Wales.
Although the company was eventually broken up in 1999, the spin-off from it was impressive. The founders put together a gifted team of software and hardware engineers, all educated originally at Cambridge University. These included Peter Headland, Ray Anderson (who went on to found IX International and AIM listed mobile payments company, Bango), Martin Baines, David Oliver, Steve O’Hara Smith, Hugh Tonks (who went on to found Thymometrics), George Grey who founded Tadpole Technology, also a designer and manufacturer of Personal Computers), Clive Feather, Simon David, and several others.
Martin Vlieland Body went on to found several different businesses. Peter Harris founded the hugely successful Hotel Chocolat. Russell Lyons set up Innovation Software, which has created a range of ERM (Enterprise Relationship Management) and Financial Software applications integrated with over 40 ERP and Accounting Systems.
The above information was kindly provided by Russell Lyons, one of the original founders of Torch Computers Ltd.
Z80/ZEP100 Communicator (Issue 1) Unknown Torch's Z80 Communicator, also known as the ZEP100, was an extension for the BBC Micro in the form of a PCB (printed circuit board).
Manufacturer : Torch Computers Limitd
Type : Peripheral
Torch Light Pen Unknown The Torch Light Pen has been designed for use with the Torch Computer and the BBC Micro Computer.
Manufacturer : Torch Computers PLC
Type : Peripheral
Torch Z80 Disc Pack Unknown The Torch Z80 Disc Pack was actually two parts, the Disc Pack seen here, and the Z80 Communicator second processor.
Manufacturer : Torch
Type : Peripheral
Torch HD Power Pack Unknown Torch Computers HD Power Pack Unit Model No: HDPP240Serial No: 84412493...
Manufacturer : Torch
Type : Peripheral
Torch Hard Disc Computer 1983 Torch Computers Ltd is one of the longest-established computer manufacturers in Cambridge.
Manufacturer : Torch
Type : Computer
Torch Model No. 301 1984 Torch Computers Ltd was a computer hardware company formed in 1982 in Great Shelford, near Cambridge, UK and became well known for its computer peripherals for the BBC Micro.
Manufacturer : Torch
Type : Computer
Torch Triple X 1985 The Torch Triple X (or XXX) was a UNIX workstation computer produced by the British company Torch Computers, and launched in 1985.
Manufacturer : Torch
Type : Computer
Torch TX 1985 Very similar to the Triple X but with the addition of a floppy disc drive.
Manufacturer : Torch
Type : Computer
Torch Quad X 1989 In 1989 Torch were developing an enhanced version of the Triple X, called the Quad X, but ran out of money and went into receivership.
Manufacturer : Torch
Type : Computer
Torch Graduate 1995 The Torch Graduate is a second processor designed to be attached to the BBC Micro.
Manufacturer : Torch Computers PLC
Type : Computer
Torch Badge Unknown Torch badge kindly donated by Mark Cook.
Manufacturer : TorchTo
Type : Promotional Item
Torch Triple X Leaflet Unknown Torch Triple X six-page sales leaflet with specification, screen shots and technical summary.
Manufacturer : Torch
Type : Promotional Item
Torch Promotional Folder Unknown Torch Promotional Folder for holding other leaflets with an eight-page booklet with company information and photographs.
Manufacturer : Torch
Type : Promotional Item
Torch Z80 Disc Pack Leaflet 1982 This Torch Z80 Disc Pack leaflet is a double-sided page A4 leaflet with specification.
Manufacturer : Torch
Type : Promotional Item
Torch Mail Plus Leaflet 1982 This Torch Mail Plus leaflet is a double-sided page A4 leaflet with specification...
Torch Promotional Box 1983 Cardboard box containing a promotional folder and Triple X Information folder, each containing multiple promotional leaflets.
Manufacturer : Torch
Type : Promotional Item
Torch Graduate First IBM PC Compatible Upgrade Leaflet 1984 Torch Graduate IBM PC Compatible upgrade for the BBC Model B MicroDouble-side A4 specification and Xchange software bundle for the Graduate G800/2...
Manufacturer : Torch
Type : Promotional Item
Torch Professional Computer Range Brochure 1986 This Torch Professional Computer Range brochure is a 12-page A4 quality publication detailing the range including: CZ WorkstationTZ WorkstationCX ComputerTX20 Computer725 Computer750 Computer...
Manufacturer : Torch
Type : Promotional Item
Torch C-Series Computer Leaflet 1986 This Torch C-Series Computer Lighting The Way Ahead leaflet is 2 page A4 with specification.
Torch UNIX Product Range Brochure 1986 This Torch UNIX Product Range leaflet is an 8-page leaflet giving the history of UNIX and products including: Torch UnicornTorch 725Torchnet...
Torch Computers News June 1988 June 1988 This Torch Computers News June 1988 leaflet is a four-page A4 publication giving details of Datacube and Triple-X.
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