Basil Smith

Software engineer responsible for the sophisticated system software and BASIC at the heart of the NewBrain computer.

Biographical Information

Known for	Software Developer, Software Engineer

Biography

Basil Smith was the software engineer on the computer project begun at Sinclair Radionics in 1978 alongside hardware designer Mike Wakefield. The project moved to Newbury Laboratories following the closure of Sinclair Radionics and eventually became known as the NewBrain.

Smith's software work helped distinguish the NewBrain from many contemporary home computers. Its BASIC offered structured features and compiled program lines as they were entered, while the wider system supported flexible display modes, communications and expansion.

After Newbury failed to launch the machine, the design and its software passed to Grundy Business Systems, which released the NewBrain in 1982.