CHIP MICROSCOPE

The exhibit explains the progressive miniaturization of computer technology. A chip is placed under a microscope with approx. 100-fold magnification, its image is transferred to a screen. The visitor can control the position of the microchip via a control panel. On the screen, information about the microchip (eg year, power, area of application) is displayed. The visitor can activate different “levels” through his interaction, displaying the various functional areas or the detailed structure of the chip. The used chip is a MOS 6502, a famous 8-bit microprocessor that was introduced in 1975 and caused a rapid decrease in pricing among the entire processor market. As such, it played a key role in introducing computers and game consoles into everybodies homes.
The MOS 6502 was for example used in the Atari 2600, Apple II, Nintendo Entertainment System, Commodore 64 as well as in the “Terminator” and Futurama’s robot Bender.
Special thanks for the vector model of the MOS6502 to Greg and everybody else from visual6502.org/

credits
created and produced in collaboration with schnellebuntebilder & Analog Natives
Music Kling Klang Klong
Music for Zuse Computer Museum Fugu Vibes
filmed and edited Robert Arnold