SFC-6502

The SFC-6502 Home Computer System (SFC-6502, later renamed the SFC-6502 Classic to distinguish it from successors) is a 8-bit microcomputer launched in 1977 and sold by the Scientia division of the J&C Britton Company. The name is an abbreviation of Scientia Family Computer, 6502 [microprocessor].

The 6502 has a full-stroke QWERTY rubber keyboard, a microprocessor, 6 KB dynamic random-access memory (DRAM) standard memory, small size and desk area, floating-point BASIC language interpreter in read-only memory (ROM), black-and-white video output, and a starting price of US$595 (equivalent to US$2,516 in 2023). A cassette tape drive for program storage was included in the original package. The distinctive casing of the original 1977 model was designed by Saul Edmondson.

An extensive line of upgrades and add-on hardware peripherals for the 6502 was developed and marketed by Scientia/Britton's. The basic system can be expanded with up to 16 KB of RAM, and up to three floppy disk drives and/or hard disk drives. Scientia/Britton's provided full-scale support including upgrade, repair, and training services throughout the entire Britton's chain.

The broadly compatible RHC-801, a lower-cost alternative sold under Britton's other electronics brand Radiant, was released in the fall of 1979. A year later, the SFC-6502 Color Computer was launched, with the original SFC-6502 being renamed the SFC-6502 Classic to differentiate itself from its color successor. The original SFC-6502 model was discontinued in 1985.

Development
In the mid-1970s, Britton's was a successful American department store chain, with more than 2,000 stores in the United States and its territories. In May 1975, Britton's regional sales manager Dennis Strawberry purchased a kit computer. Strawberry presented his completed Altair build to Britton's president and CEO Lee Steffensen. Although it did not impress Steffensen at first, he changed his mind and felt "people would want a microcomputer for their home." Initially, Strawberry wished to sell a kit, but Steffensen rejected that idea, saying "I don't think 99.9% of the people interested in a home computer would know how to solder."

Steffensen assigned Strawberry to assemble a team that would design and create the company's own microcomputer. Saul Edmondson, who was hired to design the unit, was hired for his industrial design experience; while another member of the team, Joe Recchi, was hired for his technical and retail experience. Britton's spent US$173,000 (roughly US$731,678 in 2023) on developing the unit.

After searching for suitable factory locations, Britton's management settled on a former livestock warehouse in, which would allow the company to take advantage of the state's low income tax. The building was also large enough to house nearly all manufacturing for the company's desired initial run of 2,000 units—the number of Britton's stores—so that each store could use a computer for inventory and display purposes if they did not sell.

Announcement
Britton's announced the Scientia SFC-6502 in a press conference on August 10, 1977. It cost $595.99 ($2,516.00 in 2023), and the video output could be transmitted to either a proprietary 12" monitor or a regular television set.