As well as designing the early laptop, Bill Moggridge was the director of the Smithsonian's Cooper-Hewitt, National Design Museum (AP)

Bill Moggridge, a British industrial designer who designed an early portable computer with the flip-open shape that is common today, has died at age 69.

Mr Moggridge is credited with the design of the Grid Compass, a computer that had a keyboard and yellow-on-black display. It was used by the US military and made its way into outer space aboard the space shuttle Discovery in 1985.

The Smithsonian's Cooper-Hewitt, National Design Museum said Mr Moggridge, its director since 2010, died on Saturday after a battle with cancer.

He is survived by his wife of 47 years, Karin, and two sons Alex and Erik.

PA