The floppy disk was a magnetic storage medium that revolutionized the way people stored and transferred data from computers. It was widely used from the 1970s to the 1990s, until it was replaced by other technologies such as email, USB flash drives, and cloud storage.
The first floppy disk was invented by IBM in 1971, and it was called the “memory disk”. It was an 8-inch flexible plastic disk coated with magnetic iron oxide, and it could store up to 100 KB of data. The disk was inserted into a floppy disk drive, which read and wrote data using a magnetic head. The disk was nicknamed “floppy” because of its flexibility.
The floppy disk became smaller and more convenient over time. In 1976, the 5.25-inch floppy disk was introduced, which became popular for personal computers and word processors. It could store up to 1.2 MB of data. In 1982, the 3.5-inch floppy disk was introduced, which had a rigid plastic case and a metal shutter to protect the disk surface. It could store up to 1.44 MB of data.
The floppy disk was used for various purposes, such as saving documents, programs, games, music, images, and backup files. It was also used for transferring data between different computers or devices. However, the floppy disk had some limitations, such as low storage capacity, slow speed, fragility, and susceptibility to damage from dust, heat, or magnets.
The floppy disk gradually became obsolete in the late 1990s and early 2000s, as newer technologies emerged that offered higher storage capacity, faster speed, greater reliability, and lower cost. Some of these technologies include CD-ROMs, DVDs, USB flash drives, memory cards, external hard drives, and cloud storage. The floppy disk drive also disappeared from most computers, with the notable exception of the iMac in 1998.
Today, the floppy disk is mostly a relic of the past, but it still has some nostalgic value for some people who grew up with it. It is also still used for some legacy industrial or military equipment that requires it.
References:
: https://www.thoughtco.com/invention-of-the-floppy-disk-1991405
: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/History_of_the_floppy_disk
: https://www.britannica.com/technology/floppy-disk
: https://news.yahoo.com/nuclear-fusion-breakthrough-reactor-runs-130157687.html
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