Celebrating 40 years in the making | The 1980s

We are celebrating our 40th anniversary, and so we are going to look back through the past four decades – thanks to the input of some of our customers. In this first article, we jump into our DeLoreon and time-travel back to the 1980s. 

It was a decade of neon, baggy ‘MC Hammer’ trousers, leg warmers, bad hair, shoulder pads and huge earrings – and not just women, we all remember Mr T! Prince Charles married Lady Diana Spencer, Alton Towers opened as did the UK’s first IKEA store, and Margaret Thatcher continued to hold office throughout the 80s. 

But what was happening in the world of gadgets and technology?

Gadgets and technology

The personal computer, in the form of the IBM 5150, landed, as did the ZX Spectrum and CDs. Sony’s Walkman was such a success that by 1986, the name had entered the Oxford English Dictionary. And the smartest thing? The mobile phone. No, not a smartphone and not lightweight, but it was the start. 

But, what was happening at Prototype Projects, and what products, gadgets, inventions did the team work on during the 80s?

Way back in 1981, the late Gary Turner started as an apprentice at Prototype Projects. He began his career by, well, making (and drinking!) the tea and sweeping up the workshop. Fast forward a few years, Gary found and developed a real passion for model-making. As his knowledge and experience developed, Gary became the General Manager.

Celebrating 40 years: the 1980s

One of our long-term customers, John Hawker of Design Technology, has worked with us on many projects. When asked if he had any photos of projects we worked on together, John kindly provided information on two projects he remembers well.  

Torch Computers 

During December 2019, John took his grandson to the Centre for Computing History in Cambridge. There, John was delighted to see the Torch Computers featured. John’s company designed the Torch Triple X workstation for Torch Computers in 1986, and Prototype Projects made all the prototypes for the project.

More details about Torch Computers and their range of computers can be found on the Centre for Computing History’s website.

Mercury Payphones 

On 27th July 1988, the BBC’s News at Ten featured payphones from British Telecom’s first competitor, Mercury Communications. Design Technology was the design consultancy for Mercury, and Prototype Projects manufactured the first 80 payphones. Mercury Communications merged with Cable & Wireless Communications in 1997.

Heading into the 90s 

In our next ‘celebrating 40 years in the making’ article, we’ll head to the 1990s. An era where the mullet was cool and hip hop was popular with the youngers; Toy Story changed animated movies forever; England missed out on the FIFA World Cup final (1990), didn’t qualify (1994) and was eliminated in the round of 16 (1998); and gaming consoles, like Super Nintendo, revolutionised home video gaming.

Ready to start your next prototype project? 

Prototype Projects is a UK-based prototyping bureau delivering high-quality prototype parts in fast turnaround times. 

We offer a next day dispatch service for SLA, SLS, FDM, Polyjet and DLP 3D printed parts. We also offer a dyeing service for SLS prototype parts, as well as a texturing service for SLS and SLA parts. We also offer CNC machining and CNC milling, Vacuum Casting and laser cutting services.

Contact us on 01763 249760 to discuss your next prototype project.

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