History of Data Storage Devices
Man's need for data storage is as old as the computers that compile data. Data storage devices develop for reasons of necessity and convenience. The advances of these devices are closely connected to advances in electronic and digital technologies.
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Beginnings
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Data storage began in the 1940s with punch cards and punched paper tape. Later in the decade came the introduction of magnetic memory, which consisted of magnetic cores that each held 1 bit of data.
1950-1967
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In 1951, the universal automatic computer--the first computer to store data on magnetic tape--made its debut. The first hard disk drive was invented in 1961, followed in 1962 by the laser diode, which would later lead to the development of read-write optical devices. The first removable disk storage units appeared in 1963. And finally, in 1967, IBM created monolithic semiconductor memory chips.
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1970-1979
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The floppy disk was invented around 1970. According to USByte.com, it was invented in 1970, but, according to CS Exhibitions, the technology was invented by Alan Shugart of IBM in 1971.
In 1977, Sony, Mitsubishi and Hitachi worked together to develop optical digital audio disks, or DADs. And in 1978, Phillips released a smaller version of the DAD. From these inventions, the modern CD developed.
1980-1998
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Early in the 1980s came the release of CDs and CD-ROMs. IBM brought the first hard disk drive to market in 1983, and in the early 1990s, RAID (redundant array of inexpensive disks) was introduced. Storing data on hard disks became standard. The mid-1990s delivered compact flashcards and memory sticks. And in 1998, the invention of the USB Flash Drive opened up a new world of storage options.
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References
- Photo Credit flash drive image by jimcox40 from Fotolia.com
