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Definition: early storage
Storing computer data began with magnetic tape and then magnetic disk and eventually solid state drives. However, tape is likely to thrive well into the future, primarily using Linear Tape Open cartridges (see LTO). Following are the early storage technologies. Contrast with early memory.
Magnetic Tape Was Endless
Files of any size were captured on reels of magnetic tape, and when one reel filled up, another reel was added. In the 1960s, a single data file could be contained on dozens of reels. Tape is a sequential medium, and all the records have to be sorted into some numeric or alphabetic order. To update a master file, say of customer records, both the master and transaction files are sorted into the same order and matched from A to Z in sequence (see batch processing). Although it can be done, it is extremely time consuming to locate a record on tape reels. Robotic libraries full of tape cartridges have more direct access capability, but they came on the scene years later (see tape library).
Datacenters Full of Tapes
Disk Storage
Although magnetic disk storage did not take hold until the end of the 1960s, IBM actually introduced the first disk-based computer in the mid-1950s.
The RAMAC Disk Computer (1956)
Direct Access Tape Strip "Card" Storage (1960s)
Although RAMAC (above) was direct access, it was a stand-alone system that only held 5MB, and direct access to much larger data files was still a major goal. To that end, IBM, NCR and RCA introduced magnetic card storage that held more data than RAMAC and were peripherals to the computer systems already in use.
RACE Storage from RCA (Got a Picture?)
RCA's RACE system held the equivalent of 250MB, but it was more error prone than IBM's Data Cell or NCR's CRAM units. If there was no jam all day, that was a very good day. If anyone has an image of a RACE unit, please contact alan@computerlanguage.com. Not only is Freedman the author of this encyclopedia, he was actually a salesman in RCA's computer division in 1969 without a clue he would be chronicling the industry's history some day. See RACE.
IBM's Data Cell
NCR's CRAM
Magnetic Tape Was Endless
Files of any size were captured on reels of magnetic tape, and when one reel filled up, another reel was added. In the 1960s, a single data file could be contained on dozens of reels. Tape is a sequential medium, and all the records have to be sorted into some numeric or alphabetic order. To update a master file, say of customer records, both the master and transaction files are sorted into the same order and matched from A to Z in sequence (see batch processing). Although it can be done, it is extremely time consuming to locate a record on tape reels. Robotic libraries full of tape cartridges have more direct access capability, but they came on the scene years later (see tape library).
In the 1960s, tape was the storage medium, and every computer had tape drives. (Image courtesy of The Computer History Museum.)
Disk Storage
Although magnetic disk storage did not take hold until the end of the 1960s, IBM actually introduced the first disk-based computer in the mid-1950s.
At 2,000 bits per square inch, IBM's RAMAC was the first random access disk drive. Each 24" platter held 100,000 characters for a total of five million characters. See RAMAC. (Images courtesy of IBM.)
Direct Access Tape Strip "Card" Storage (1960s)
Although RAMAC (above) was direct access, it was a stand-alone system that only held 5MB, and direct access to much larger data files was still a major goal. To that end, IBM, NCR and RCA introduced magnetic card storage that held more data than RAMAC and were peripherals to the computer systems already in use.
RACE Storage from RCA (Got a Picture?)
RCA's RACE system held the equivalent of 250MB, but it was more error prone than IBM's Data Cell or NCR's CRAM units. If there was no jam all day, that was a very good day. If anyone has an image of a RACE unit, please contact alan@computerlanguage.com. Not only is Freedman the author of this encyclopedia, he was actually a salesman in RCA's computer division in 1969 without a clue he would be chronicling the industry's history some day. See RACE.
Each Data Cell held 10 cartridges on a rotating carousel for a total of 400MB, which was more storage than the NCR and RCA devices (see Data Cell). (Image courtesy of IBM.)
Part of NCR's 315 computer system, CRAM cartridges held a modest 5.5 or 11MB of data (see CRAM). (Images courtesy of NCR Corporation.)