Torch Computers Ltd

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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.

Torch's address in 1985 was :
 
TORCH Computers Limited
Abberley House
Great Shelford
Cambridge
CB2 5LQ
England

Timeline for Torch :

Date Event
Mar 1982 News Article : Twin-processor Torch may be leading light
Jul 1982 News Article : Torch to make light of communications
Nov 1982 News Article : Torch discs for BBC
Feb 1983 News Article : Torch now approved by BT for direct link-up to Telex


Hardware Products

Z80/ZEP100 Communicator (Issue 1)

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

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

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

Torch HD Power Pack
Unknown
Torch Computers HD Power Pack Unit Model No: HDPP240Serial No: 84412493...

Manufacturer : Torch
Type : Peripheral

Torch Hard Disc Computer

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

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

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

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

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

Torch Graduate
1995
The Torch Graduate is a second processor designed to be attached to the BBC Micro.

Manufacturer : Torch Computers PLC
Type : Computer


Promotional Items

Torch Technology Ltd Folder

Torch Technology Ltd Folder
Unknown
A4 folder with sleeve for holding documents in.

Manufacturer : Torch
Type : Promotional Item

Torch Computers Folder

Torch Computers Folder
Unknown
A4 folder with sleeve for holding documents in.

Manufacturer : Torch
Type : Promotional Item

Torch Quad X Gold Card

Torch Quad X Gold Card
Unknown
Support and on-site warranty card for the Torch Quad X computer.

Manufacturer : Torch
Type : Promotional Item

Torch Computers Despatch Sticker

Torch Computers Despatch Sticker
Unknown
Torch Computers-branded despatch sticker.

Manufacturer : Torch
Type : Promotional Item

Torch Computers Note Paper

Torch Computers Note Paper
Unknown
Sheet of notepaper embossed with the Torch Computers logo.

Manufacturer : Torch
Type : Promotional Item

Torch Badge

Torch Badge
Unknown
Torch badge kindly donated by Mark Cook.

Manufacturer : TorchTo
Type : Promotional Item

Torch Triple X Leaflet

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

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

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

Torch Mail Plus Leaflet
1982
This Torch Mail Plus leaflet is a double-sided page A4 leaflet with specification...

Manufacturer : Torch
Type : Promotional Item

Torch Triple X Computer System Leaflet

Torch Triple X Computer System Leaflet
1982
This Torch Triple X computer system leaflet is a 4 page A4 leaflet with specification.

Manufacturer : Torch
Type : Promotional Item

Torch Promotional Box

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

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

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

Torch C-Series Computer Leaflet
1986
This Torch C-Series Computer Lighting The Way Ahead leaflet is 2 page A4 with specification.

Manufacturer : Torch
Type : Promotional Item

Torch Computers - Videotex System Leaflet

Torch Computers - Videotex System Leaflet
1986
This Torch Computers - Videotex System leaflet is 4-page A4 publication.

Manufacturer : Torch
Type : Promotional Item

Torch Computers - 300 Series Workstation Leaflet

Torch Computers - 300 Series Workstation Leaflet
1986
This Torch Computers - 300 Series Workstation leaflet is a double-sided A4 publication.

Manufacturer : Torch
Type : Promotional Item

Torch Computers Y-OpenTop Leaflet

Torch Computers Y-OpenTop Leaflet
1986
This Torch Computers Y-OpenTop Desktop Manager leaflet is a double-sided A4 publication.

Manufacturer : Torch
Type : Promotional Item

Torch Computers X Window System Leaflet

Torch Computers X Window System Leaflet
1986
This Torch Computers X Window Portable Graphics System leaflet is a double-sided A4 leaflet.

Manufacturer : Torch
Type : Promotional Item

Torch Computers Unicomm Communications Package

Torch Computers Unicomm Communications Package
1986
This Torch Computers Unicomm Communications Package leaflet is a double-sided A4 leaflet.

Manufacturer : Torch
Type : Promotional Item

Torch UNIX Product Range Brochure

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...

Manufacturer : Torch
Type : Promotional Item

Torch X-Desktop Technical Notes

Torch X-Desktop Technical Notes
1988
This Torch X-Desktop Technical Notes leaflet is an 8-page A4 publication.

Manufacturer : Torch
Type : Promotional Item

Torch Computers News June 1988

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.

Manufacturer : Torch
Type : Promotional Item

Torch Compucar Software for the Motor Trade Leaflet

Torch Compucar Software for the Motor Trade Leaflet
1989
This Torch Compucar software for the motor trade leaflet is a double-sided A4 leaflet.

Manufacturer : Torch
Type : Promotional Item

Torch QS2000 Leaflet

Torch QS2000 Leaflet
1990
This Torch UNIX QS2000 leaflet is a 4-page A4 leaflet with features rather than a specification.

Manufacturer : Torch
Type : Promotional Item

Torch QM2000 Leaflet

Torch QM2000 Leaflet
1990
This Torch UNIX QM2000 family leaflet is a 4-page A4 leaflet with features rather than a specification.

Manufacturer : Torch
Type : Promotional Item

Torch QX Family Leaflet

Torch QX Family Leaflet
1990
This Torch QX family leaflet is a 6-page A4 leaflet with features rather than a specification.

Manufacturer : Torch
Type : Promotional Item


Video Relating to Torch :


Magazine Articles About Torch

 

Torch Computers Ltd

 

 

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