Torch Computers was founded in Cambridge in 1981 by Martin Vlieland-Boddy, Peter Harris and Russell Lyons. Working closely with Acorn, Torch used BBC Micro motherboards as the basis for expanded professional systems with second processors, disk storage and networking.
The best-known model was the Torch Communicator, which combined BBC Micro hardware with a Z80 processor and modem to run business software and connect directly to the telephone network. Torch also created second-processor and storage products for Acorn machines, helping bridge the gap between educational micros and small-business systems.