In the 1990′s, the Swedish government subsidized the cost of computers for every family, allowing any Swedish family to buy a personal computer. This must’ve had a great impact – allowing a generation of Swedish kids to mess around with computers, coding and technology.
I've heard a similar argument made for why Dundee became a hub of computer game development in the UK — access to cheap computers for working-class families. (plus Dundee also has long cold winters)
In Dundee's case it was access to Sinclair ZX Spectrums that 'accidentally' went missing from the Timex factory.
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In the 1990′s, the Swedish government subsidized the cost of computers for every family, allowing any Swedish family to buy a personal computer. This must’ve had a great impact – allowing a generation of Swedish kids to mess around with computers, coding and technology.
I've heard a similar argument made for why Dundee became a hub of computer game development in the UK — access to cheap computers for working-class families. (plus Dundee also has long cold winters)
In Dundee's case it was access to Sinclair ZX Spectrums that 'accidentally' went missing from the Timex factory.
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Timex_Sinclair
The first computer I owned was a Timex Sinclar 2068. :)
Quite nice, specially the advanced mode with access to a better sound chip than the standard 48+.
However one needed the ZX Spectrum compatibility cartridge to proper load Spectrum games.