Summary of ONE OF THE WORST KEYBOARDS EVER, NOW AN ARDUINO PERIPHERAL
The Sinclair ZX81, a historic British computer with a Z80 processor and 1k memory, featured a notoriously poor membrane keyboard. This article describes an Arduino project that repurposes the re-manufactured ZX81 board as a tactile peripheral for modern microcontrollers. The project allows users to experience the unique feel of the original keys while potentially enabling new functionalities like emulation on platforms such as Mbed.
Parts used in the ZX81 Arduino Peripheral:
- Sinclair ZX81 board
- Arduino microcontroller
- Z80 processor
- Mbed platform (mentioned as potential future use)
For British kids of a certain age, their first experience of a computer was very likely to have been in front of a Sinclair ZX81. The lesser-known predecessor to the wildly-successful ZX Spectrum, it came in at under £100 and sported a Z80 processor and a whopping 1k of memory. In the long tradition of Sinclair products it had a few compromises to achieve that price point, the most obvious of which was a 40-key membrane keyboard. Those who learned to code on its frustrating lack of tactile feedback may be surprised to see an Arduino project presenting it as the perfect way to easily hook up a keyboard to an Arduino.
Like many retrocomputing parts, the ZX81 ‘board has been re-manufactured, to the joy of many a Sinclair enthusiast. It’s thus readily available and relatively cheap (we think they can be found for less than the stated 20 euros!), so surprisingly it’s a reasonable choice for an Arduino project. The task of trying to define by touch the imperceptible difference in thickness of a ZX81 key will bring a true retrocomputing experience to a new generation. Perhaps if it can be done on an Mbed then someone might even make a ZX81 emulator on the Arduino.
We’re great fans of the ZX81 here at Hackaday, for some of us it was that first computer. Long may it continue to delight its fans!
Source: ONE OF THE WORST KEYBOARDS EVER, NOW AN ARDUINO PERIPHERAL
- What is the primary purpose of this Arduino project?
The project presents the ZX81 board as a way to easily hook up the original keyboard to an Arduino. - Can you find the ZX81 board cheaply today?
Yes, re-manufactured boards are readily available and can be found for less than 20 euros. - What type of processor did the original ZX81 use?
The original ZX81 sported a Z80 processor. - How much memory did the ZX81 have?
The ZX81 came with 1k of memory. - What was the most obvious compromise made to achieve the low price point?
The most obvious compromise was the 40-key membrane keyboard which lacked tactile feedback. - Is it possible to create a ZX81 emulator on the Arduino using this setup?
The article suggests that if this can be done on an Mbed, someone might make a ZX81 emulator on the Arduino. - Why do some people consider the ZX81 keyboard frustrating?
It is considered frustrating due to its lack of tactile feedback. - What is the significance of the ZX81 for many British kids?
For many British kids of a certain age, the ZX81 was their first experience of a computer.
