Kempston Interface
Joystick Interface
Mid 1980s (manufactured)
Mid 1980s (manufactured)
| Artist/Maker | |
| Place of origin |
This plastic box of electronics attached to the back of a Sinclair ZX Spectrum computer via its rear expansion port, enabling it to use an Atari 2600-style joystick. Originally designed and marketed by the Kempston Micro Electronics company, it became known generically as a Kempston Interface, even when manufactured by other companies, such as this one by Datel Electronics.
This interface was one of the products that made Datel a success in the 1980s, later finding fame through their console gaming cheat devices Action Replay and Game Shark. While the original Kempston company faded into obscurity, Datel managed to outlive the home computer market through these developments and is still developing console products in the 2010s.
This interface was one of the products that made Datel a success in the 1980s, later finding fame through their console gaming cheat devices Action Replay and Game Shark. While the original Kempston company faded into obscurity, Datel managed to outlive the home computer market through these developments and is still developing console products in the 2010s.
Object details
| Categories | |
| Object type | |
| Title | Kempston Interface (popular title) |
| Materials and techniques | Injection moulded plastic covering electronics. |
| Brief description | Joystick interface (known generically as a Kempston Interface) for Sinclair ZX Spectrum, manufactured by Datel Electronics, UK, mid 1980s. |
| Physical description | Black plastic box with protruding metal and plastic connector. |
| Dimensions |
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| Production type | Mass produced |
| Credit line | Given by Alex Carter |
| Summary | This plastic box of electronics attached to the back of a Sinclair ZX Spectrum computer via its rear expansion port, enabling it to use an Atari 2600-style joystick. Originally designed and marketed by the Kempston Micro Electronics company, it became known generically as a Kempston Interface, even when manufactured by other companies, such as this one by Datel Electronics. This interface was one of the products that made Datel a success in the 1980s, later finding fame through their console gaming cheat devices Action Replay and Game Shark. While the original Kempston company faded into obscurity, Datel managed to outlive the home computer market through these developments and is still developing console products in the 2010s. |
| Collection | |
| Accession number | B.43-2011 |
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| Record created | July 20, 2011 |
| Record URL |
Download as: JSONIIIF Manifest
