- 2023
- Jul
- 10
Random board shot: The Atari 2600
This is an Atari 2600 “Video Computer System,” or VCS:
But you knew that already. This is the model known as the “Heavy Six.” It was made in Sunnyvale, California.
It’s a first generation model. It’s called a Heavy Six because of the six switches on the front panel, and it weighed more than later models due to the thick cabinet:
And because of the cast aluminum RF shield present around the actual processor and other circuitry. This was not present in later models:
The cabinet is held together with 8 screws, and splits easily into two halves.
Code named “Stella” when it was being developed, one of the removed features was built-in speakers. You can still see the holes in the top chassis where they were supposed to be mounted.
But that’s not what interests me the most. If you examine the board, you’ll notice that now familiar Textolite “T” imprinted in the circuit board itself, indicating the raw board came from the GE plant in Coshocton, OH.
It still amazes me how far-reaching this little town’s products were.