The VIC 20 is an important step in computing history: it popularised the up-take of the home personal computer. The VIC 20 made computing accessible and fun, and although it was certainly not the only home PC on the market at the time, it was definitely one of the most affordable.

The VIC 20 was released onto the market in 1981. VIC is an acronym for Video Interface Chip, and the chip was initially produced to sell to third-party game console producers, but when interest in the chip was slow, Commodore designed their own computer to put it in. With the VIC chip installed, the VIC 20 was the first affordable personal computer to feature a colour display. This aspect made the VIC 20 attractive to people who wanted a home personal computer for gaming and learning about computing.


Commodore was founded in the mid 1950s. It was a small company that sold and repaired typewriters; though did not manufacture typewriters. The company then began to sell calculating machines. By the 1970s Commodore was manufacturing calculators using Texas Instruments microchips. As the market increased, Commodore purchased MOS-Tech - a company that produced microchips. The first personal computer Commodore marketed was the Commodore PET, in 1977.


Damian McDonald
April 2010

The information cartridges, pamphlet and reference guides were produced by Commodore Business Machines Inc, Japan, 1980.

The book '57 Practical Programs and Games in Basic', was published by TAB Books, PA, USA, 1978.

The book and cassette, 'Dr Watson's Beginners Assembly for Language Programming for the VIC 20' was produced by Honeyfold Software, London, 1980.

These objects were used with a Commodore VIC 20 which was purchased and used by the donor to learn about computers. She used it to play games and develop a knowledge of personal computing, and she taught herself how to program; gaining a grasp of the BASIC programming language which came with the VIC 20. As she became more savvy, the VIC 20's RAM was increased with the addition of the VIC 1010 expansion unit.

Accessories for Commodore VIC 20 computer, 3K RAM extender cartridge, 'Road Race' game cartridge, information pamphlet, reference guides (2), book, '57 Practical Programs and Games in Basic', book and cassette, 'Dr Watson's Beginners Assembly for Language Programming for the VIC 20', packaging for VIC 20 and VIC 1010, plastic / electronic components / paper, Commodore Business Machines Inc, Japan, 1980, Honeyfold Software, London, 1980, TAB Books, USA, 1978

The 3K RAM and game cartridges are a moulded plastic case, with a label on the top face, and the plug-in connection surface on the bottom edge.

The information pamphlet is a fold-out basic information guide, black print on white stock.

The reference guides are 'VIC 20 Programmer's Reference Guide' and 'Personal Computing on the VIC 20: A Friendly Computer Guide', 289 and 164 pages respectively.

The book, '57 Practical Programs and Games in Basic' is soft cover, 254 pages.

The book and cassette, 'Dr Watson's Beginners Assembly for Language Programming for the VIC 20' is a plastic case that houses the cassette in the front panel, and the book in the back panel.

Made: 1978 - 1980

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1978 - 1980