STARS-Proposal:5.25-inch Floppy Disk Drive and Media
From GHN
Author: Thomas Gardner
Timeline
| 1975 | First recognition of demand at Shugart Associates |
| 1976 | Wang Laboratory involvement |
| 1976 | SA400 First Customer Shipment |
| 1978 | 10 Manufacturers |
| 1979 | Apple adoption |
| 1981 | Unit volume exceeds 8-inch |
Synopsis
The 5¼-inch floppy disk drive and media was conceived in 1975 and 1976 at Shugart Associates thru interaction with its key customers, particularly Lanier and Wang. The product was first shipped in September 1976 and by 1978 10 manufacturers were shipping compatible products. The adoption by Apple in 1979 was a key customer successs involving interaction between Steve Jobs and key Shugart Associates and Xerox executives (Xerox acquired Shugart Associates in ????). By 1981 the unit volume of 5¼-inch disk drives exceed that of the prior generation 8-inch disk drives.
Bibliography
References of Historical Significance
References for Further Reading
About the Author(s)
40+ year veteren of disk storage industry with experience at Memorex on the very earliest floppy disk drives. Personal relationship with most of the key Shugart Associate's personnel involved with the invention and commercialization of the 5¼-inch FD and media.
Current a volunteer with the Storage Special Interest Group at the Computer History Museum
