Martin Brennan (engineer)
Encyclopedia
Martin Brennan is a computer engineer who developed pioneering personal computers such as the Loki
(for Sinclair Research
) and the Atari Jaguar
video game console
.
A physics graduate of Cambridge University
, he was a co-founder of Flare Technology
, a design house involved in the design of the ill-fated Konix Multisystem
.
Brennan initially worked for Sinclair Research where he designed the digital electronics and software in ZX Interface 1
before going on to found Flare with ex-Sinclair colleagues John Mathieson
and Ben Cheese
. After working at Flare on the Flare 1 and its development into the Konix Multisystem
he went on to work for Atari
developing the Atari Panther
and the Atari Jaguar
.
In 1997 Brennan founded the "Cheap & Cheerful Chip Company" which later went on to become Global Silicon Limited
In 2007 Brennan designed the Brennan JB7 digital jukebox produced by 3GA Ltd (Third Generation Audio)
Loki (computer)
Loki was the codename for a home computer under development at Sinclair Research during the mid-1980s. The name came from the Norse god Loki, god of mischief and thieves. Loki was based on the ZX Spectrum, but intended to rival the Commodore Amiga as a games platform. When Amstrad bought out...
(for Sinclair Research
Sinclair Research Ltd
Sinclair Research Ltd is a British consumer electronics company founded by Sir Clive Sinclair in Cambridge. Originally incorporated in 1973 as Ablesdeal Ltd., it remained dormant until 1976, and did not adopt the name Sinclair Research until 1981....
) and the Atari Jaguar
Atari Jaguar
The Atari Jaguar is a video game console that was released by Atari Corporation in 1993. It was the last to be marketed under the Atari brand until the release of the Atari Flashback in 2004. It was designed to surpass the Mega Drive/Genesis, Super Nintendo Entertainment System, and the Panasonic...
video game console
Video game console
A video game console is an interactive entertainment computer or customized computer system that produces a video display signal which can be used with a display device to display a video game...
.
A physics graduate of Cambridge University
University of Cambridge
The University of Cambridge is a public research university located in Cambridge, United Kingdom. It is the second-oldest university in both the United Kingdom and the English-speaking world , and the seventh-oldest globally...
, he was a co-founder of Flare Technology
Flare Technology
Flare Technology was a computer hardware company based in Cambridge, United Kingdom. It was founded in 1986 by Martin Brennan, Ben Cheese, and John Mathieson, former engineers at Sinclair Research....
, a design house involved in the design of the ill-fated Konix Multisystem
Konix Multisystem
Konix was a British computer peripheral company primarily known for making joysticks such as the distinctive Speed King during the 1980s. Although this was its primary business for years, its place in videogame folklore was cemented by its ambitious and ultimately ill-fated plans to release its own...
.
Brennan initially worked for Sinclair Research where he designed the digital electronics and software in ZX Interface 1
ZX Interface 1
A peripheral from Sinclair Research for its ZX Spectrum home computer, the ZX Interface 1 was launched in 1983. Originally intended as a local area network interface for use in school classrooms, it was revised before launch to also act as the controller for up to eight ZX Microdrive high-speed...
before going on to found Flare with ex-Sinclair colleagues John Mathieson
John Mathieson (computer scientist)
John Mathieson is a Computer Science graduate who initially worked for Sinclair Research before going on to found Flare with fellow ex-Sinclair colleagues Martin Brennan and Ben Cheese....
and Ben Cheese
Ben Cheese
Ben Cheese was the engineer who got Sinclair's ZX Microdrives to work. Authors Ian Adamson and Richard Kennedy, in their book Sinclair and the "Sunrise" Technology, writes that "it seems only fair to note that it was the tenacity and imagination of R&D staffer Ben Cheese that got the product...
. After working at Flare on the Flare 1 and its development into the Konix Multisystem
Konix Multisystem
Konix was a British computer peripheral company primarily known for making joysticks such as the distinctive Speed King during the 1980s. Although this was its primary business for years, its place in videogame folklore was cemented by its ambitious and ultimately ill-fated plans to release its own...
he went on to work for Atari
Atari
Atari is a corporate and brand name owned by several entities since its inception in 1972. It is currently owned by Atari Interactive, a wholly owned subsidiary of the French publisher Atari, SA . The original Atari, Inc. was founded in 1972 by Nolan Bushnell and Ted Dabney. It was a pioneer in...
developing the Atari Panther
Atari Panther
The Atari Panther was the 32-bit predecessor to the Atari Jaguar video game console. It was developed by the same ex-Sinclair team Flare Technology who were previously responsible for the Flare One and the Konix Multisystem. It was scheduled to be released in 1991, but Atari Corp...
and the Atari Jaguar
Atari Jaguar
The Atari Jaguar is a video game console that was released by Atari Corporation in 1993. It was the last to be marketed under the Atari brand until the release of the Atari Flashback in 2004. It was designed to surpass the Mega Drive/Genesis, Super Nintendo Entertainment System, and the Panasonic...
.
In 1997 Brennan founded the "Cheap & Cheerful Chip Company" which later went on to become Global Silicon Limited
Global Silicon Limited
Global Silicon Limited is a fabless semiconductor company founded in 1997 in Cambridge, United Kingdom. Global Silicon designed and produced system level semiconductors for the consumer audio market. Global Silicon created a number of new ICs that were noteworthy for the level of system...
In 2007 Brennan designed the Brennan JB7 digital jukebox produced by 3GA Ltd (Third Generation Audio)