History of hard disk drives
[2] The disk drive created a new level in the computer data hierarchy, then termed Random Access Storage but today known as secondary storage, less expensive and slower than main memory (then typically drums and later core memory) but faster and more expensive than tape drives.
Disk media diameter was initially 24 inches, but over time it has been reduced to today's 3.5-inch and 2.5-inch standard sizes.
Drives with the larger 24-inch- and 14-inch-diameter media were typically mounted in standalone boxes (resembling washing machines) or large equipment rack enclosures.
Drives with smaller media generally conformed to de facto standard form factors.
The RAMAC disk drive created a new level in the computer data hierarchy, today known as secondary storage, less expensive and slower than main memory (then typically core or drum) but faster and more expensive than tape drives.
[3] Subsequently, there was a period of about 20 years in which other technologies competed with disks in the secondary storage marketplace, for example tape strips, e.g., NCR CRAM, tape cartridges, e.g., IBM 3850, and drums, e.g., Burroughs B430, UNIVAC FASTRAND, but all ultimately were displaced by HDDs.
The drive's total capacity, depending on the number of platters installed, was up to 205,377,600 bytes (205 MB).
A major advance introduced with the 3330 was the use of error correction, which made this and most subsequent drives more reliable and less expensive because small imperfections in the disk surface can be tolerated.
[14] The name 'Winchester' and some derivatives are still common in some non-English speaking countries to generally refer to any hard disks (e.g. Hungary, Russia).
Led by Control Data, Diablo Systems, CalComp and Memorex, the OEM segment reached $631 million in 1979, but still well below the $2.8 billion associated with captive production.
But it was clear that smaller Winchester storage systems were eclipsing large platter hard drives.
[21] Industry participation peaked with about 75 active manufacturers in 1985 and then declined thereafter even though volume continued to climb: by 1989 reaching 22 million units and US$23 billion in revenue.
(See § Manufacturing history for more details) In 2009 – Fujitsu exits by selling HDD business to Toshiba[27] In 2011 – Floods hit many hard drive factories.
[79] There have been at least 221 companies manufacturing hard disk drives[80][81][82][83] but most of that industry has vanished through bankruptcy or mergers and acquisitions.
From beginning and into the early 1980s manufacturing was mainly by US firms in the United States at locations such as Silicon Valley, Los Angeles, Minnesota and Oklahoma City.
[81]: Table 7 In the 1980s US firms, beginning with Seagate, began to shift production to Singapore and then other locations in southeast Asia.
By the 1990s the dollar value of magnetic recording devices produced by companies located in California's "Silicon Valley" exceeded the dollar value of semiconductor devices produced there leading some to suggest that a more appropriate name for this area would be "Iron Oxide Valley," after the magnetic material coating the disks.
