The 6502 Microprocessor Turns 35
The 6502 microprocessor is 35 years old as of September 16th. Introduced in 1975 at WesCon in San Francisco, the chip cost $25. Many early, hugely-popular home computers and gaming consoles sported it, including: Apple 1 & ][; Commodore PET & Vic 20; Atari 2600, 400 & 800.
The 6502 came into being when a Motorola team led by Chuck Peddle and Bill Mensch started designing a low-cost competitor Motorola’s own 6800. It was a rogue project as far as the executives were concerned. So, out came a memo: Shut.It.Down. In retaliation, Peddle and Mensch’s entire team left the company to join MOS Technologies where they designed and manufactured the semi-conducting super-star.
Peek and Poke anyone?
Sean Kelly
Recent Posts
Personified Legendary Artifacts Interview Potential New Members to Join Their Exclusive Club
The World’s Shortest and Tallest Women Meet For Tea in London on Guinness World Records Day 2024
Andy Serkis Expressively Reads a Defiant 1929 Letter From a Chimpanzee to an Offending Scientist
Couple Pretends to Be Inquisitive Shoppers Looking For the Most Outrageous Items at HomeGoods
The Incredibly Acrobatic Bakers Who Make Traditional Bread in Samarkand, Uzbekistan
