The 6502 CPU, from MOS Technology, has been widely used since its debut in 1975. Designed by a group of people at MOS Technology led by Chuck Peddle, later of Commodore fame, and used in machines like the PET and C64. Also quickly adapted by computer designers like Steve Wozniak in the Apple series, the 1 and ][ and 2 and 2e and 2c and 3. And many others followed!

For more 6502 IC photos: look at the cpu-collection page.
For an introduction to the 6502 family go to this wikipedia page.
An introduction on the 6502 programming can be found in this wikibook on 6502 assembly.

The 6502 turned out to be an affordable, yet powerful CPU, easy to interface and easy to understand. Many single board computers were designed with the 6502, most often becoming the heart of largely expanded systems.

The KIM-1, developed by MOS technology as a design example, became such a hit. Many were sold, not only to the original target audience, but also to  hobbyists and electronic engineers and system integrators. A new industry was born, based on the microprocessor as the heart of electronic devices. And also the birth of the personal computer, the Apple 2.Nowadays the 6502 is not much more than a memory for most. But the 6502 core is still found in many embedded applications, as sold by the Western Design Centre.

Books in pdf format for download:

• 6502 books
• 6501
• 65XX IC’s
• 65XX Datasheets Manuals
• 6530-6532
• TIM 6530-004
• 6502 Microprocessor Kit
• AIM 65
• Apple 1 replica’s
• Beta
• Brutech BEM
• Cepac-65
• DOS65
• Elektor Elektuur Junior
• EMUF and MC
• Emma by L.J. Technical Systems
• John Bell Engineering SBC’s
• Jolt and Super Jolt
• KIM-1
• KIM 6502 UP Kenner
• Kowalski assembler simulator
• LAB-VOLT 6502
• MDT 650 MOS Technology
• Microsoft Basic 6502
• MCS Alpha 1
• MPS-65 CT-65 Thaler
• Lee Davison’s website
• My 6502 systems
• OSI 300 Trainer
• SUPERKIM
• Synertek SYM KTM
• The Computerist Memory Plus
• TM76 Burr Brown 6502 terminal
• TOuCHE
• Three Chips Plus Unilab
• VAE T4 system