user14633: Atmel microcontrollers are not cheap compared to STM and Microchip. Why did Arduino select Atmel MCUs such as atmega328 and atmega2560 on their board out of so many alternatives?

user4143: Simply because the Wiring system that Arduino stole was written for the Atmel chips.
Arduino didn't "invent" the Arduino system - they just took an existing system called Wiring and adapted it slightly and branded it Arduino.  

14633: <p>Atmel microcontrollers are not cheap compared to STM and Microchip. Why did Arduino select Atmel MCUs such as atmega328 and atmega2560 on their board out of so many alternatives?</p>
 4143: <p>Simply because the Wiring system that Arduino stole was written for the Atmel chips.</p>

<p>Arduino didn't "invent" the Arduino system - they just took an existing system called Wiring and adapted it slightly and branded it Arduino.  </p>
