The Commodore 64 is an important step in computing history: it popularised the up-take of the home personal computer. The Commodore 64 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 C64 was released onto the market in 1982. It is said to have been the world's best selling home computer - selling more that seventeen million units between 1982 and 1993. During its lifetime it certainly outsold both IBM clones and Apple computers. The Commodore 64 is the subject of many emulations - its popularity succeeding its lifetime by more than two decades.

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, Curator
December 2011

The objects in this collection were designed and/or manufactured by Commodore Business Machines Inc, Japan, Memorex Products Inc, Bondwell, Datex, and Sanyo, 1982 - 1993.

The Commodore 64 was purchased by the donor for his son so the young teenager could learn about computers, entertain himself and gain skills. He used it to play games and develop a knowledge of personal computing. As he became more savvy, the type of games he purchased became more advanced and strategic.

The game controllers are two square-based joysticks with a button on the top of the joystick and two buttons at the front of the base, and one joystick of a more ergonomic design with a button on the top of the joystick.

The cassette data reader is a tan plastic unit with the cassette tray on the top, and the operation buttons at the front of the unit. It connects to the computer via a lead at the rear.

The manuals are: 'Commodore 64 User Manual', '1530 Datasette Unit Operating Instructions', and 'Sound Effects and Music on the Commodore 64'.

The games are on cassette - commonly available audio cassette - and each has its own cover.

The personal cassette player is a black plastic case, with the cassette tray door opening at front of the unit, and the operating buttons on the left side.

The mouse is a white plastic unit, with a lead, adapter, and storage case.

Made: 1982 - 1993

2012/19/2

1982 - 1993