CARTRIDGE, ROM - SOFTWARE THE DESIGNER'S PENCIL FOR COMMODORE 64

c. 1982 - 1992
Overview

Black rectangle cartridge. Bottom end hollowed with a flat electronic bar in middle protruding to some level as bottom edge. Top tapers into a thin edge. Near top 6 ridges run around cartridge. Sides of cartridge that ridge covers tapers into a concave shape On front is a rectangle paper label 6 yellow with blue text [THE / DESIGNER'S / PENCIL / ACTIVISION R / AUDIOVISUAL CONCEPT, LABEL AND PROGRAM C 1984 ACTIVISION, INC / DC-102-04].
On front bottom moulded makers mark text.

Historical information

In the 1980s Mr Ken Brown purchased a Commodore 64, programming books and software to teach himself how to use a computer and to do computer programming. At the time the City of Armadale and the City was introducing computers and Ken did not know how to use a computer. The computer, manuals and software were used at his home on Albany highway. The computer was also used by other family members to play games.
The Commodore 64 was the first mass produced home computer. Was produced between 1982 and 1992 and is considered the highest selling computer in history.
The Commodore C64 was a home computer introduced in January 1982 by Commodore International. The C64 name came from its 64 kilobyte of RAM. Retailing at US$595 (equivalent to $1545 USD in 2018), it was listed in the Guinness Book of World Records as being the highest-selling single computer model of all time. Selling 17 million units worldwide during its life time. Between 1983 and 1986, the C64 outsold its competitors companies IBM PC Compatibles, Apple Computers and Atari 8-bit. This was achieved through selling at regular retail stores rather than electronics only and computer specialist stores. Proximately 10,000 software titles were made for the C64 including office productivity applications, development tools and video games. It was discontinued in April 1994, however remains popular in society today with collectors and computer enthusiasts. In 2018, the C64 mini 'retro' console was announced, introducing a new generation to the wonders of the C64.
The Designer's Pencil was a drawing program designed by Activision and released in 1984 for a variety of computer systems including Commodore 64.

Details

Details

Registration number
cwa-org-33-COA2008.35F
Width
66 mm
Height or length
89 mm
Depth
19 mm
Inscriptions and markings

bottom makers mark [ACTIVISION]

Statement of significance

This object is part of a collection that represents how technology has evolved over time and how those changes have impacted on daily life. These changes can relate to common professions or jobs that have either disapeared or appeared i.e. Blacksmiths or electricians. They can relate to how technology has made jobs or tasks easier or more convienient i.e. doing the washing by hand vs an electric washing machine.

Comparative significance criteria
Interpretive capacity
Rare or representative
Well provenanced
City of Armadale - History House

City of Armadale - History House

Organisation Details
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Black rectangular cartridge which tapers at the top. Near the top 6 ridges run around the cartridge, with the area with ridges in a concave shape at the sides. The front has a rectangular label with yellow and blue text on it, with the name The Designer's Pencil.

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