MOUSE - GENIUS FOR COMMODORE 64 COMPUTER

c. 1980 - 1992
Overview

Rectangle cream plastic computer mouse. Top of mouse flat, front third slopes down to front. On this third are three grey rectangle buttons. Mouse case held in place by metal screws. From back end is a plastic coated electric cable that ends in a flat 9 pin plug. On bottom of mouse is a hole that fits a rubber ball that rolls around in the hole. Above the ball is a silver sticker with numbers [6090528]. Red label on front [Genius Mouse]

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 computer mouse was first demonstrated to the public in 1968. In 1973 Xerox Alto produced the first computer designed for individual use that was able to use a mouse. The mouse took off in the mid 1980s with the boom of the personal computer. Commodore computers integrated the mouse into their design around 1985 and released their own brand of mouse in 1986.

Details

Details

Registration number
cwa-org-33-COA2008.10A
Material
Width
1786 mm
Height or length
30 mm
Depth
62 mm
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
Object’s condition or completeness
Rare or representative
Well provenanced
City of Armadale - History House

City of Armadale - History House

Organisation Details
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