# KIM-1

> single-board computer

**Wikidata**: [Q151863](https://www.wikidata.org/wiki/Q151863)  
**Wikipedia**: [English](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/KIM-1)  
**Source**: https://4ort.xyz/entity/kim-1

## Summary  
The KIM-1 is a single-board computer released in 1975, designed by Chuck Peddle and manufactured by MOS Technology and Commodore International. It was one of the earliest microcomputers to feature the MOS Technology 6502 CPU and served as a precursor to the Commodore PET. Primarily used for education and hobbyist computing, it helped popularize low-cost computing in the 1970s.

## Key Facts  
- **Released in 1975**, the KIM-1 was an early single-board computer.  
- **CPU**: MOS Technology 6502, a groundbreaking 8-bit microprocessor.  
- **Developer**: Chuck Peddle, a key figure in early microcomputer design.  
- **Manufacturers**: MOS Technology and later Commodore International.  
- **Official Name**: Keyboard Input Monitor 1 (KIM-1).  
- **Followed by**: The Commodore PET, a more advanced successor.  
- **Aliases**: Keyboard Input Monitor, MOS KIM-1, KIM 1.  
- **Category**: Single-board computer and personal computer.  

## FAQs  
### Q: What was the KIM-1 used for?  
A: The KIM-1 was primarily used for education, hobbyist projects, and early microcomputer experimentation. Its low cost and accessibility made it popular among enthusiasts.  

### Q: Who created the KIM-1?  
A: The KIM-1 was designed by Chuck Peddle and manufactured by MOS Technology, which was later acquired by Commodore International.  

### Q: What CPU did the KIM-1 use?  
A: It featured the MOS Technology 6502 CPU, an influential 8-bit microprocessor used in many early computers.  

## Why It Matters  
The KIM-1 was a pivotal machine in the early microcomputer revolution. Its affordability and simplicity made it accessible to hobbyists and educators, bridging the gap between complex industrial systems and personal computing. By featuring the MOS 6502 CPU—later used in iconic systems like the Apple II and Commodore 64—the KIM-1 demonstrated the potential of low-cost computing. It also laid the groundwork for the Commodore PET, solidifying MOS Technology's (and later Commodore's) role in the home computer market. The KIM-1's legacy lies in its contribution to democratizing computing in the 1970s.  

## Notable For  
- **Early Adoption of the 6502 CPU**: One of the first computers to use this influential microprocessor.  
- **Hobbyist-Friendly Design**: Made microcomputing accessible to non-professionals.  
- **Precursor to the Commodore PET**: Directly influenced the development of more advanced Commodore systems.  

## Body  
### Development and Release  
- Designed by **Chuck Peddle** and released in **1975** by **MOS Technology**.  
- Later produced by **Commodore International** after their acquisition of MOS Technology.  

### Technical Specifications  
- **CPU**: MOS Technology 6502, an 8-bit processor.  
- **Form Factor**: Single-board computer with integrated keyboard and display interface.  

### Legacy and Successors  
- **Followed by**: The Commodore PET, which expanded on the KIM-1's design.  
- **Influence**: The 6502 CPU became a cornerstone of early personal computing.  

### Cultural Impact  
- Popularized low-cost computing for hobbyists and educators.  
- Featured in early computer magazines and DIY projects.

## References

1. [Source](https://github.com/JohnMarkOckerbloom/ftl/blob/master/data/wikimap)
2. Byte. 1976
3. Freebase Data Dumps. 2013
4. National Library of Israel Names and Subjects Authority File