The SCL Unicorn Microcomputer was the first attempt at bringing the BBC Micro into India, starting around 1985. As part of the Indian government's CLASS (Computer Literacy and Studies in Schools) project, the state-owned Semi Conductor Complex Ltd, hoped to have 250,000 BBC Bs in the country by 1990. To begin with, the company was to use kits supplied by Acorn, but eventually hoped to use locally sourced parts, even down to the 6502 processor, which would have been licensed from Rockwell. The custom ULA chips would continue to come from Acorn.

However in this example in our collection the 6502 and 6522 chips are SCL India branded. There is also no BNC connector, instead a 5-pin connector is inside the machine. The case appears to be older than when SCL were working on the machine, so it could be that this is an SCL board transplanted into an case a year or two older than the board.

The commitment to so many BBC machines was part of the Indian government's five year development plan, influenced by Queen Elizabeth II gifting 30 BBC computers to Indian schools. A similar plan was to expand into South America and China.

Due to a fire at the SCL plant in 1989, all of its semi conductor production was stopped, and it wasn't until 1997 that production resumed. This led to the production of the Hope Dolphin in the attempt to get BBCs into the Indian market and classrooms. The Centre also holds one of the last remaining Hope Dolphins in existence.

This example in our collection consists of the SCL Unicorn PCB with no casing. It was very kindly donated by Mark Cook.

Manufacturer: SCL
Date: 1985

This exhibit has a reference ID of CH36704. Please quote this reference ID in any communication with the Centre for Computing History.

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