Files
website/content/museum/mos-technology-kim-1.md
T
yann64andClaude Opus 5.5 3eeabe9649 Full content from the completed page crawl (media download still running)
6,654 pages: 1,289 machines, 702 software, 460 companies, 64 history, 17 articles, 59 fun.
4,336 media files so far; references to files not downloaded yet are left out.

Co-Authored-By: Claude Opus 5.5 <noreply@anthropic.com>
Claude-Session: https://claude.ai/code/session_01YDRjtmAiNpo5mK5N3d7QwZ
2026-10-12 07:55:22 +02:00

17 KiB

title, categories, types, origins, years, cpus, params
title categories types origins years cpus params
MOS TECHNOLOGY KIM 1
Computers
Home Computer
U.S.A.
1975
6502
name image company company_name specs tabs photos adverts hardware connectors emulators links docs comments oc_id source
KIM 1 /media/museum/photos/mos_kim1.jpg /companies/mos-technology MOS TECHNOLOGY
label value
NAME KIM 1
label value
MANUFACTURER MOS Technology
label value
TYPE Home Computer
label value
ORIGIN U.S.A.
label value
YEAR 1975
label value
KEYBOARD Hexadecimal keyboard, calculator type
label value
CPU 6502
label value
SPEED 1 MHz
label value
RAM 1152 bytes
label value
ROM 2 KB (assembler)
label value
TEXT MODES 6 digits LED screen
label value
GRAPHIC MODES None
label value
COLORS No
label value
SOUND Various square wave frequencies could be produced by software
label value
SIZE / WEIGHT Unknown
label value
I/O PORTS tape interface, bus expansion, serial (to connect to a terminal)
label value
POWER SUPPLY 5V / 1.2A and 12V / 100mA. The 12V was only needed for the serial function
label value
PERIPHERALS Unknown
label value
PRICE $250 (USA, 1975)
photos
adverts
hardware
connectors
emulators
links
docs
title subtitle text image
COMMODORE VERSION When Commodore bought MOS Technology in 1976, KIM 1 boards were sold with the 'Commodore - MOS' label Thanks to **Richard de Keijzer** /media/museum/photos/mostech_kim1_commodore_2.jpg
title subtitle text image
LABEL CLOSE-UP Thanks to **Richard de Keijzer** /media/museum/photos/mostech_kim1_label_1.jpg
title subtitle text image
DOUBLE SIDE CIRCUIT Picture showing all the tracks of the double side circuit. /media/museum/photos/mostech_kim1_doubleside_1.jpg
title subtitle text image
KIM-1 SCHEMA /media/museum/photos/mostech_kim1_schematics_1.jpg
title subtitle text image
KIM-1 MANUALS These are the original programing, hardware and KIM-1 user manuals, dated 1976. /media/museum/photos/mos_kim1_manuals_1.jpg
title subtitle text image
KIM CALCULATOR #1 This antique calculator is not really a calculator, but an ideal case for a KIM-1 board equiped with a full stroke keyboard and a nice display ;-)\ See the next picture for further details. /media/museum/photos/mostech_kim1_calculator_2.jpg
title subtitle text image
KIM CALCULATOR #2 Inside the KIM calculator. /media/museum/photos/mostech_kim1_calculator_1.jpg
title subtitle text image
1976 ADVERT null
title subtitle text image
RAM BOARD /media/museum/hardware/mostech_kim1_ramboard_1.jpg
title subtitle text image
PAPER TAPE READER This paper tape reader manufactured by the Teleterminal Corporation and called the Fly Reader could be connected to the Kim 1 board. It could read a paper tape at 300 characters per second. The advantage of the paper tape reader was it could read a little part of a program, even a single character. Unfortunately, it wasn't a puncher and the user had to acquire already punched tapes. /media/museum/hardware/mostech_kim1_papertape_1.jpg
title subtitle text image
CARDEDGE CONNECTORS Basically it's not easy to get or find the specifications of the cardedge connectors you need for the "A" and "E" slots of a KIM-1. In the manual "KIM-1 Hints" you can find the folowing text:\ 4. WHERE CAN I GETMORE 44-PIN EDGECONNECTORS FOR KIM?\ The connector is a standard part - you can order a Vector No. R644 from most electronic supply houses.\ The connector is also carried by most Radio Shack stores as Part No.276-548. Unfortunately Vector No. 644 is not easy to find. Radio Shack Stores are unknown with Part No.276-548. So I tried to find the Specifications nowdays, and some Part No. for Europe. Outside Europe, you can always go to your local dealer with the specifications. Specifications:\ Cardedge Connector 44 (2x22) 3,96MM or 0,156"\ Part No.\ Conrad Electronics: 74 07 05-44\ Local Dealer: 05.34.2.22B (Print Solder) 05.34.2.22C (Hand Solder) Thanks to **Richard de Keijzer** from the Netherlands for these info. /media/museum/connectors/mostech_kim1_connector_1.jpg
title url platform text
Soft6502 http://www.crbond.com/soft6502.htm Windows KIM 1 simulator and 6502 programming trainer
title url platform text
MESS (Multi Emulator Super System) http://www.mess.org Other platform MESS emulates the KIM-1 for many platforms
title url platform text
The Incredible KIMplement http://www.floodgap.com/retrobits/kim-1/ Other platform KIM-1 emulator for the Commdore 64 !!!
title url text
Everything you want to know about the KIM 1 is here ! http://ftp.funet.fi/pub/cbm/schematics/kim-1/index-t.html
title url text
KIM-1 page http://home.hccnet.nl/g.baltissen/kim.htm Nice description with original docs, ROM sources and more
title url text
Online manuals http://www.ping.be/kim-1__6502/ Online user manual, hardware manual and programming manual!
title url text
The KIM-1 Enthusiasts Page http://www.kim-1.com/ Nice site with photo gallery, documentations and more
title url cover text
KIM-1 USER'S GUIDE http://www.commodore.ca/manuals/kim1/kim1_users_guide.txt /media/museum/docs/couvs/vide.gif [**KIM-1 USER'S GUIDE**](http://www.commodore.ca/manuals/kim1/kim1_users_guide.txt)written by MOS Technology  compiled/archived by www.commodore.ca\  type of document : TXT\  source : [www.commodore.ca](http://www.commodore.ca)
title url cover text
KIM-1 HARDWARE MANUAL http://www.commodore.ca/manuals/kim1/kim1_hardware.txt /media/museum/docs/couvs/vide.gif [**KIM-1 HARDWARE MANUAL**](http://www.commodore.ca/manuals/kim1/kim1_hardware.txt)written by MOS Technology  compiled/archived by www.commodore.ca\  type of document : TXT\  source : [www.commodore.ca](http://www.commodore.ca)
title url cover text
KIM-1 HINTS http://www.commodore.ca/manuals/kim1/kim1_hints.txt /media/museum/docs/couvs/vide.gif [**KIM-1 HINTS**](http://www.commodore.ca/manuals/kim1/kim1_hints.txt)written by MOS Technology  compiled/archived by www.commodore.ca\  type of document : TXT\  source : [www.commodore.ca](http://www.commodore.ca)
title url cover text
KIM-1 MONITOR SOURCE CODE http://www.commodore.ca/manuals/kim1/kim1_mon.txt /media/museum/docs/couvs/vide.gif [**KIM-1 MONITOR SOURCE CODE**](http://www.commodore.ca/manuals/kim1/kim1_mon.txt)written by MOS Technology  compiled/archived by www.commodore.ca\  type of document : TXT\  source : [www.commodore.ca](http://www.commodore.ca)
author date text
Jeff Nay (USA) Thursday 24th February 2022 Need help with book
author date text
Eric Andresen (United States) Tuesday 14th December 2021 I recently built a Kim Uno which while it is not a Kim-1 provides a very nice emulated environment to play in and it can be build for about $18 in parts and the whole project is open source. Has anyone used this? I would like to enter some programs into $0400 but found that is where the ROMs usually were mapped. My unit will not allow me to write there, but I had read posts that you should be able to hold Rst for 1 second and that allows you to write to the non-volatile area of the Uno. Has anyone else walked this path? On the Strugglebus.
author date text
Jeff Nay (USA) Sunday 31st October 2021 Hello Hams, Love your site, although it is hard for me to get through to you as you only provide Twitter and FB contact info. Your last post here, mentions something Unopened with manuals. What are you referring to? I do have a youtube site, that you might like. https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCbBQsLXk9W7oM7Pz5lZgHOg
author date text
Hans Otten (Netherlands) Wednesday 27th October 2021 Unopened, new, with manuals worth quite a lot. At least $1000 depending on what Rev and IC''s used.
author date text
Chris Banda (Las Vegas, Nevada) Saturday 22nd August 2020 I met Steve Wazniak and Jobs at the 1975 MOS Technology Convention in San Francisco. The next business day afterwards, I bought two Kim-1 boards. One I used at work and the other sat in its box until today. I never even applied power to it and bought it with the plug in socket chip option. Does anyone know what this board is worth on today''s market? Thanks: Chris 323-218-1435, chris_51_m_ca@yahoo.com
author date text
Bob Leedom (Maryland, USA) Tuesday 7th January 2020 Tuesday, 7 Jan 2020\ On the first page of this site''s KIM-1 section, I mention my hand-assembled KIM-Venture program, which runs on a bare KIM-1. I''d like to find a good place to post the user manual, source code, and cavern map for this "tiny Adventure" game. Or I''ll send it to anyone who asks! Write me at BOBkimLEEDOM at hotmail.com, but first remove the 3-character computer name from the address (added here to confound the spambots).
author date text
Tim Bennett Sunday 15th July 2012 I incorporated a KIM-1 into USPTO patent $ 4,281,579 - issued in yr 1981. Demonstrated working prototype to US piano mfgs (who didn''t get it) but sold rights Yamaha who sold millions. Still have KIM-1 but will be listing on e-bay this week - Thursday 7/19/2012 . Will be interesting to see what it brings.
author date text
David Honig (USA) Friday 6th June 2008 In the early 80s at age 16 I attended a science camp at RPI, and my project was to program a KIM-1 to use Newton's method to find the resonance of a rotating wheel. It was a lecture demo for a physics prof. I wrote machine code and hand assembled it, then punched it in. After a while you could read the machine code.
author date text
Rob urton (Olmsted Falls, Ohio) Sunday 4th February 2007 Fond memories of these as I used them in my first real engineering job. Around 1978 we built a motion control system for animation cameras. It used stepping motor control hardware based on 6522s that I designed. The system was used to create motion graphics for TV spots mostly. I still have one with a KIM-3 4K RAM expansion card.
author date text
David Masson (STL) Sunday 22nd January 2006 Does any one have a part list and a schematics for this? If you do please email me at david@massonfamily.com
author date text
Dennis German ( ) Friday 20th February 2004 By adding a 300baud Texas Instruments terminal and a modem to edit, assemble and download a program the KIM could CONTROL and monitor an N gauge train layout. The KIM interpreted a routing language including commands like T5C ( set Turnout 5 Curved). It's expansion capability was only unlimited by your imagination.
author date text
ytf (Cupertino, CA) Friday 16th January 2004 Chris Baker: The KIM-1 was the first *stand-alone* single board computer, and the first one using the 6502. I believe the Apple I didn't ship until well after the KIM-1 had shipped. But in any event, the Apple-1 didn't have a "diskey" (display+keyboard), so I think the KIM-1 deserves pride of place.
author date text
Philip Wasson (Torrance, CA) Monday 29th December 2003 Thank you Peter for Microchess! I loved it. I'm still amazed you wrote a chess program in 1k. I wrote a debug monitor that had a "video display". It used 2 analog ramp-up, ramp-down circuits that connected to the x-y inputs of my oscilloscope and displayed all the registers on the screen. I added a Selectric printer, keyboard, and 8k RAM.
author date text
Robert Lore (Sydney, Australia) Sunday 15th June 2003 I rember this little beauty. Wonderful. Looking at the schematic shows a lot of stuff to make the tape work - all thos bits to the left of the keypad. Then I saw the Apple II book at the just opened ComputerLand shop. Steve Jobs replaced all this circuitry with one op-amp and a D-latch. I immediately wire-wrapped up this onto a S-100 bus prototype board. Copied the Apple II monitor ROM from the book (typed hex codes into DEC PDP8 - wrote paper tape - burned EPROM).... Plugged into the wirewrapped motherboard and bingo it fired up first go (never to be repeated). Even the cassette tape ran at double speed !
author date text
TheP (CA) Saturday 8th February 2003 I have a KIM-1 that is missing a key on the keypad.\ Is it possible to purchase a replacement keypad somewhere?
author date text
Harry Joel (Texas) Monday 13rd January 2003 It was not easy, but circumstances led me to part with my beloved KIM-1. It was the machine that prompted me to pursue a career as programmer for the years to come after 1977, I auctioned it on eBay and the page got over 300 hits, meaning the spirit of the KIM-1 lives on. The final bid was a lot more than what I paid for it in 1977, It has found a new home.
author date text
Peter Jennings (Cyberspace) Thursday 10th October 2002 My Kim-1 may have been the most expanded Kim around in 1978. I had the MOS Technology expansion board with 4K of RAM. I also designed a floppy disk interface to an 8 inch floppy disk and wrote a small DOS and development system based on Micro-ADE (Assembler Disassembler Editor). I just fired up my Kim, and it still works. Unfortunately, the only tape I had of Microchess broke when I tried to play it. Not sure if I will type it all in. My Kim-1 will be on display at the [Vintage Computer Festival](http://www.vintage.org), Oct 26-27. See you there.
author date text
Dennis Brown (Youngsville, NC) Monday 12th August 2002 I built a wire-wrap 4K memory expansion card for my Kim-1. Then I built an interface to drive an IBM 1052 keyboardless Selectric printer. I also wrote driver software to make the printer operate... I often used a Teletype with papertape reader/punch and since the teletype only had an RS-232 serial interface, had to use an opto-iosolated coupler to connect to the Kim.
author date text
Peter (Earth) Wednesday 20th March 2002 Microchess ran on the Kim-1. That was chess in 1K of RAM. Microchess on the Kim-1 was the first commercially successful game program for a home computer, first sold in 1976. It went on to sell more than a million copies\ on the Apple ][ and TRS-80.
author date text
Bob Leedom (Glenwood, MD) Wednesday 20th March 2002 Has anyone gotten a KIM-1 emulator to work? I've tried some of the links (MESS, e.g) with no luck. Key problem of course, is getting the ROM binary...
author date text
Chris Baker (Overland Park, KS) Friday 1st March 2002 I have a question that I can not find an answer to on the web.\ Is this the first publicly available computer to feature the 6502, or even perhaps the first ever to feature a 6502?
149
url date
https://web.archive.org/web/20230608152603/http://www.old-computers.com/museum/computer.asp?c=149 2023-06-08

This prehistoric computer has no "real" keyboard and no video output, program are entered by the small hexadecimal keyboard (located in the lower right part of the picture) and results are displayed on the small LED "screen" (it can display only 6 digits). It has a simple monitor that allows one to examine & modify memory, load and save paper tape, load and save cassette tape, run and debug programs through a 'single step' mode. The monitor works with the built in keypad and LEDs, or a terminal like the Teletype ASR33.

It is possible to connect the KIM to a terminal via a dedicated serial port.

Soon after release, Commodore Business Machines would buy out MOS Technologies and distribute the KIM-1 with a Commodore name on it.

Bob Leedom reports :
The KIM-1 had "no video output", you say? And the "small LED screen...can only display 6 digits"?
Not quite. The software could address each segment of the 7-segment displays in the "LED screen". As a result, tremendous ingenuity was unleashed by the KIM-1 User's Group, and the display was used for many clever things.
The editors published my version of the artificial intelligence board game (in which the computer learns which moves lose, and never makes those moves again, until it's eventually unbeatable), my baseball game (two-player or you vs computer, six kinds of pitches possible, scoreboard, men-on-base display, lots more), and my semi-successful commercial entry called KIM-venture (a tiny version of Adventure, with XYZZY-type secret word, monsters, treasures, 26 rooms, and more).
It was an amazing little computer. Mine still works!