Wilson started doing designs without any form of contract, just because that is what members of the computer and microprocessor societies liked to do. Each had their own favorite microprocessors and at this stage in the 8-bit era there were choices. Wilson had experience of designing around the 6502, including an early form of embedded system; an electronically controlled cow feeder for a firm in Harrogate.

The 6502 was designed by Chuck Peddle and Bill Mensch for MOS Technology Inc. in 1975 and when it was introduced was considerably lower cost than equivalents from Intel and Motorola. Mensch went on to form Western Design Center Inc. (Mesa, Arizona) which made the 65C02, the CMOS version of the processor.