The Evolution of Data Storage (original) (raw)

Quick Fact:

Most computer users are familiar with hard drives, flash devices, and other common consumer media, but many people do not know that these devices are the product of more than a century of innovation. The first storage devices were punch cards, which held about 960 bits; for perspective, there are 8,388,608 bits in a megabyte. Some newer hard drives hold a terabyte or more - and there are about 1,048,576 megabytes in a terabyte. That means that newer storage devices are literally millions of times more efficient than some of their predecessors.

Digital storage technology is fascinating, and our customers often ask the limitations and capabilities of different types of media. The infographic below provides a detailed look at the evolution of digital information, along with an overview of major storage milestones that led to modern computing.

Just as computer processor capabilities double every few years, data storage capabilities continue to expand at a rapid pace. Many newer computer systems rely on cloud storage, which basically means that data is not stored on any local media. Instead, it exists on a server or a series of servers - commonly referred to as "the cloud." This allows for practically unlimited data storage, as the servers can be upgraded on the fly.

Secure Data Recovery Services provides data recovery and media repair services for all types of digital devices. Our teams have the technology to treat virtually any failure scenario, and we are always ready to provide fast answers about data loss and storage technologies. If you would like more information or if you need to set up a case, call us today at 1-800-388-1266.