Floppy Disk
The floppy disk is a type of data storage medium that was widely used from the late 1960s to the early 2000s. Here are detailed insights into its history, technology, and significance:
History
- The concept of the floppy disk was developed at IBM in the late 1960s by Alan Shugart and his team.
- The first floppy disk drive, known as the IBM 23FD, was introduced in 1971. It used an 8-inch diskette that could store 80 kilobytes of data.
- By the mid-1970s, the size of floppy disks was reduced to 5.25 inches, which became the standard for the next decade.
- In 1981, Sony introduced the 3.5-inch floppy disk, which offered higher storage capacity and durability, eventually becoming the dominant format.
- The 3.5-inch disks had capacities ranging from 720 KB to 1.44 MB, with later versions reaching up to 2.88 MB.
Technology
- Floppy disks are magnetic storage media, where data is stored by modifying the magnetic properties of the disk's surface.
- They are read and written by a floppy disk drive (FDD), which contains a read/write head that floats above the spinning disk.
- The disks are encased in protective sleeves or hard plastic cases to prevent dust and damage.
- Data is organized in tracks and sectors, with the drive motor spinning the disk at a constant speed to read or write data.
Usage and Significance
- Floppy disks were the primary portable storage medium for personal computers in the 1970s, 1980s, and 1990s.
- They were used for distributing software, transferring files between computers, and backing up data.
- Operating systems like MS-DOS and Windows 95 initially relied on floppy disks for installation and updates.
- The decline in their use started with the advent of CDs, USB flash drives, and the increasing availability of internet downloads.
Legacy
- Even though floppy disks have become obsolete, their icon remains a symbol for saving in many computer interfaces.
- Some industries like aviation and healthcare continued to use floppy disks into the 2010s for specific applications due to their reliability and resistance to viruses.
- The Computer History Museum preserves and displays various models of floppy disks and drives.
References
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