GRiD is also generally credited with creating the first clamshell-style notebook computer
This is a situation where "generally" is a euphemism for "foolishly".
Many reasons for this....
1. The original Grid (Compass 1100/1101) had no battery. It needed 110V. By my definition, which is the correct one :D, a computer is only a notebook/laptop if it's got battery power. Being lap-SIZED is a different story. Thus, the Compass could be thought of as the pinnacle of (to use the period-appropriate term) "transportable" computers; or "luggables" in common terms -- i.e. an all-in-one computer that was very small but had to be plugged in.
2. I don't personally feel that having a folding screen is part of the definition of notebook/laptop. Unlike battery power, which is a vital aspect of mobility, the screen's industrial casing is just form -- not function. So, that in turn means the Husky computer (81) beat Grid to market by a year -- and that Casio, Epson, Grundy, and Teleram were all equal peers in 1982.
3. On the clamshell front, the first generation of such portables was 1983 -- Dulmont, Gavilan, MicroOffice, and Sharp (I put these in alphabetical order; none are "first".)
4. Grid itself didn't offer a computer with a battery option until .... well I'm not exactly sure, but it was sometime in the mid-80s.
So, let's summarize:
1. Husky (1981) = notebook/laptop (neither term was actually in use back then.)
2. Grid (1982) = first lap-SIZED computer with a clamshell screen, but its lack of battery power made it NOT a notebook/laptop.
3. Various companies (1983), but still not Grid, innovated with battery-powered clamshells.
4. Toshiba (1985) says they "invented" the laptop .... dummies.
Unfortunately the idea of "Grid = first laptop" is widespread and incorrect. It's as problematic as saying "Columbus discovered America".
Also: I highly recommend a book called "1491" which describes the many (many, many!) people who were here and laughing at mainland Europeans' stupidity. ("What took you so long? We've been waiting...")
Also, also: Grid innovated in plenty of other ways, mostly their software and ruggedness. Therefore it's still important to recognize what Grid * did * accomplish. It just wasn't a notebook/laptop.
As for the history of * tablets * -- that's a whole different thing from what I wrote above. If you think my opinion about the Grid/battery issue is controversial, wait'll you hear my opinion about tablet history. :D Alas, I'm not going to share that at this time, for various reasons.
