GRiD Compass laptop computer manufactured by the GRiD Systems Corporation, including Bubble memory unit , reference documents titled ‘Management Tools Reference’ , Lotus 123 spreadsheet software, user guide and associated cables, Fremont, c. 1982

GRiD Compass laptop computer, manufactured by the GRiD Systems Corporation, Fremont, c. 1982.

A sleek and expensive computer, the GRiD Compass laptop computer was designed by Bill Moggridge. The folding clamshell design was patented by GRiD Systems and later became popular in laptop design. When the GRiD Compass first went on sale in 1982 it cost a minimum of $8000. It was designed to be portable and rugged and, though initially marketed at executives who could afford its high price, it went on to be used by the military. Notably in 1985 a Grid Compass was used on the NASA space mission STS-51-G.