# Black Box

> Peripheral device for the Commodore 64

**Wikidata**: [Q9174097](https://www.wikidata.org/wiki/Q9174097)  
**Source**: https://4ort.xyz/entity/black-box

## Summary
The Black Box is a peripheral device designed for the Commodore 64 home computer. It is a hardware add-on that extends the computer's capabilities by providing additional functions.

## Key Facts
- **Instance of**: Peripheral (with specific application: Commodore 64)
- **Country of Origin**: Poland
- **Inception**: 1994
- **Image**: Available as `Blackbox3.jpg` on Wikimedia Commons
- **Primary Language**: Polish (as indicated by the source website's language)
- **Wikidata Description**: Peripheral device for the Commodore 64
- **Google Knowledge Graph ID**: /g/122_mb2t
- **Described at URL**: https://c64.com.pl/index.php/cartridge/bb3.html (retrieved on 2024-07-25)

## FAQs
### Q: What type of device is the Black Box?
A: The Black Box is classified as a peripheral, which is a hardware device that connects to a computer to provide expanded functionality. Specifically, it was designed as an add-on for the Commodore 64.

### Q: When and where was the Black Box created?
A: The Black Box peripheral was created in Poland, with its inception dating back to 1994.

### Q: Where can I find more information about the Black Box?
A: Detailed information about the Black Box is available on a dedicated Polish-language webpage (c64.com.pl/index.php/cartridge/bb3.html), which was referenced as the primary source of description on July 25, 2024.

## Why It Matters
The Black Box represents a specific example of the hardware expansion ecosystem that was vital for 8-bit home computers like the Commodore 64. Peripherals were essential for enhancing the functionality of these systems beyond their built-in capabilities, allowing users to add specialized features, storage, or interfaces. The development of such devices in Poland also highlights the global reach and enduring community support for classic computing platforms long after their commercial peak.

## Notable For
- Being a peripheral device specifically designed for the Commodore 64.
- Its origin and development in Poland.
- A documented example of the Commodore 64 hardware scene in the mid-1990s.

## Body
### Classification and Function
The Black Box is an instance of a **peripheral**, a class of hardware devices that attach to a computer to provide input, output, storage, or communication facilities. Its specific application qualifier is the **Commodore 64**, indicating it was built exclusively for that platform.

### Origin and History
The device originated in **Poland** and has an inception year of **1994**. This places its development several years after the Commodore 64's main commercial lifespan, underscoring the active aftermarket and hobbyist scene that persisted around the platform.

### Technical Documentation and Resources
The primary source of information for this device is a webpage hosted on `c64.com.pl`, which is written in **Polish**. The page was accessed for description purposes on **July 25, 2024**. An image of the device, specifically version 3 (`Blackbox3.jpg`), is available via Wikimedia Commons. The entity is also recognized by the Google Knowledge Graph with the identifier `/g/122_mb2t`.