
Storage
Discover The World Of Storage Solutions: Part 1
By TechDogs Editorial Team

Overview
So, what do we mean by Storage Solutions? Imagine you have a magic clean slate (not the one from The Dark Knight Rises!), where you can paint a picture, compose a love song, make your monthly grocery list, or note down a contact number - anything you want. You can erase the slate whenever you need to write something new. Now, say you want to read out the love song to your crush. Instead of having to remember it, you can consult the magic slate! It stores every piece of information that's etched onto its surface and provides you with the exact data you want later. That is the crux of Storage Solutions. Join us as we explain what Storage Solutions are, how they work, their history and the types of storage device.
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We're sure you must have downloaded your favorite songs on Spotify, saved some Excel sheets from an email, maybe a few motivational wallpapers or even a TechDogs' article PDF to your smartphone (yes, you can do that now!).
However, what is it that lets you store and access these files on your devices instantly? No matter the format - MP3, PNG, Excel sheets, binary files, PDFs, or GIFs - Storage Solutions allow you to save and backup data in containers and revisit it later. This technology has transformed the digital era by letting us store (and instantaneously deliver) an incredible amount of information.
Don't believe us? Try and wrap your head around this - by 2025, roughly 463 exabytes of digital information will be generated each day. A single exabyte can store 50,000 years' worth of DVD-quality videos. For comparison, the entire Marvel Cinematic Universe is barely 50 hours. Mind-blown yet?
We're sure you are! How about learning some more?
What Is Storage?
Storage, in layperson terms, refers to devices that store data. This can be a hard disk, a USB (Universal Serial Bus) flash drive or a floppy disk (bonus points if you've ever used one!). However, the most common storage method today is digital storage that includes cloud storage, server arrays, virtual storage, etc. Storage ultimately refers to any hardware component capable of holding digital information, either temporarily or permanently.
With that out of the way, let's see how this technology evolved into what it is today.
So, When Was The First Storage Device Created?
Before the development of computers or any form of digital storage, punch cards were used to store data. At this point, honestly, we can hear you go, "What the heck are those?" Relax, we have you covered and are here to explain. By the way, did you notice how we also read your mind? We are mind readers, don't tell anyone though. Shhh!
A punch card was a thick piece of paper that stored data, represented by the presence or absence of holes in predefined positions. A separate machine was used to "read" the cards and decrypt the data. It was the standard for storing data till the mid-1900s. Then, in 1948, Professor Fredrick Williams and his colleagues developed the first Random Access Memory (RAM) for storing up to 1024 bits (1 MB) of programming information. RAM storage unit was temporary, like wiping the magic slate clean each time the computer was turned on. It was only with the invention of Read Only Memory (ROM) that data could be permanently stored in a digital format.
A significant breakthrough came via IBM when they released the first-ever hard drive on September 13, 1956. Called the RAMAC, it weighed more than a ton yet stored a measly 5MB of data. Then, in 1966, Intel Corporation launched a semiconductor chip with 2000 bits of memory. Less than three years later, in 1969, IBM got back in the game and made the first floppy disk. It measured over 8 inches wide. Some of you may even remember using the refined, portable 3.5-inch version of the floppy disk (don't worry if you don't know what it is, they are pretty much extinct now anyway!).

Since then, we have seen an exponential advancement in Storage Solutions with the invention of CDs, DVDs, optical drives, flash drives, Solid State Drives (SSD), etc., that have become reliable storage devices. This has made it extremely easy to store and distribute all types of data instantly, with virtually no limitations.
Today, we use cloud infrastructure, massive physical data warehouses and virtual servers to store insanely large amounts of data at significantly lower costs. The cost of storing 1 Gigabyte of data on a hard disk in the 1980s was around $100,000. Today it costs less than a dollar!
How did we achieve that, you ask? Let's find out!
How Storage Solutions Work: A Quick 101
To understand how modern Storage Solutions works, we need a brief crash course in binary language. Don't worry; it is not as hard as Mandarin or Finnish! That's because binary language consists of only two alphabets: '1' and '0.' All information written in binary language is stored in the form of these 1s and 0s.
For example, in a Compact Disk (or CD, as it is better known), information is stored by creating two distinctive types of grooves on the CD's surface. A laser is shone on the surface and the light reflected off the grooves is observed. Since both grooves are different, they reflect distinctly different amounts of light. Hence, we can say that X amount of light is 0 and Y amount of light is 1 and decode the information.
Let's take another device, say a Hard Disk Drive (HDD). Here, a positive charge is a '1' and a negative charge is a '0.' These microscopic charges are held in place on a magnetic plate, which is interpreted by a read-write head. Hence, information written in 1s and 0s can be decoded. Depending on the storage device type, the method may differ but the language remains the same. Just like a recent edition of Moby Dick as well as its first edition will be in English - although their manufacturing method differs.
Now that we know about the working behind Storage Solutions, let's look at some types of storage devices. Ready?
Types Of Storage Devices
Are refrigerators storage devices? Well, yes but actually no! However, there are a wide range of storage devices available for saving digital data, each with its own advantage in terms of features, storage capacity, security and reliability. Here are some of them:
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Hard Disk Drive (HDD)
A hard disk drive is commonly used as the primary storage device in computers and laptops. It makes use of magnetic storage and one or more rotating platters (disks) that store charge on them. Remember, positive charge is 1 and negative charge is 0? There will be a quiz later, so you better remember!
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Solid State Drive (SSD)
The Solid State Drive uses integrated circuits (the green chip thingy) to store data permanently and hence, are used as the secondary storage in computers. Since SSDs don't have any moving parts, unlike the HDD, they are generally more reliable. They also have incredibly large storage capability; the largest SSD ever created had a capacity of 100 terabytes and weighed less than a pound!
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Random Access Memory (RAM) Devices
RAM is a hardware component found in electronic devices such as desktop computers, laptops, tablets and smartphones. Its main purpose is to provide users quick access to temporary data. Also, no Linda, you cannot download more RAM!
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Read-only Memory (ROM) Devices
This type of hardware designates a non-volatile computer memory, that is, memory that is not erased when the device is turned off. ROM-type storage devices are more reliable than RAM as data cannot be altered or accidentally deleted. They are commonly found in electronic devices that need to store in-built programming.
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CD, DVD And Blu-ray Discs
It won’t be a far stretch to say that these three storage devices are improved iterations of the same concept. Think Charmander to Charmeleon to Charizard! While one CD can hold 700 MB of data, a DVD can save 4.7 GB of data (6.7 times CD storage) and a single Blu-ray can store up to 25 GB of data (35 times CD storage)!
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USB Flash Drive
The USB Flash Drive contains a small memory chip that once inserted into a computer has the same characteristics and functions as a Hard Disk Drive. It backs up your files, just as your hard drive does and lets you access them with any USB-compatible device. We are sure you've used one before!
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Cloud Storage
Cloud storage, the latest development in Storage Solutions, allows you to save data in a non-local physical server that you access either through the internet or a dedicated private network connection. Basically, Cloud Storage ensures that you don't have to store data on your mobile devices. Yay, more space for tech articles!
Although there are other variations, these devices are the most well-known ones. Now, since it's on your mind, let's talk about how Storage Solutions contributes to your business.
Why Do I Really Need Storage Solutions?
In our fast-paced economy, the longer it takes to retrieve data, the less relevant it becomes. Like Elbert Hubbard once said, "The world is moving so fast that a man who says it can't be done is generally interrupted by someone doing it."
Our modern data storage solutions enable real-time transfer of data, improved portability of storage devices and greater storage space, among other advantages such as:
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Maintaining a thorough record of past activities, process blueprints and previous transactions for businesses.
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Quick access to data increases efficiency by reducing reliance on human memory.
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Detailed reports of past activities make it easier to discover trends and patterns in large datasets, enabling data analysis and forecasting.
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Scalability - from flash drives to server arrays - storage devices come in all sizes.
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Enterprises can back up all critical enterprise data using storage devices.
That's all, folks! In Part 2 of our Storage Solutions article, we will explore storage devices in a more technical sense and show you how storage applications can support your business needs.
Till then hit CTRL+S and see you on the other side!
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the history of storage devices?
Storage devices have evolved significantly since the early days of punch cards used for data storage. Before the digital era, punch cards were the standard method for storing data, with holes representing binary data. The development of the first Random Access Memory (RAM) in 1948 marked a milestone in digital storage, followed by the invention of the Read Only Memory (ROM), allowing for permanent storage of digital data. IBM's release of the first hard drive, RAMAC, in 1956 and the introduction of floppy disks in 1969 further revolutionized data storage. Since then, advancements such as CDs, DVDs, SSDs, and cloud storage have significantly enhanced storage capabilities, making it easier to store and distribute vast amounts of data with minimal limitations.
How do storage solutions work?
Modern storage solutions operate on the basis of binary language, utilizing a combination of '1's and '0's to represent data. Various storage devices employ different methods to store and retrieve data. For example, a Compact Disk (CD) stores data by creating grooves on its surface, with variations in reflected light representing binary data. Similarly, a Hard Disk Drive (HDD) uses positive and negative charges on a magnetic plate to store data. Despite differences in storage mechanisms, the fundamental principle remains the same: encoding and decoding data using binary language.
What is storage and how has it evolved over time?
Before the advent of computers and digital storage, punch cards were utilized for data storage. These cards had holes in predefined positions representing data, and a separate machine would interpret these holes. The era transitioned with the introduction of Random Access Memory (RAM) in 1948, providing temporary storage. The breakthrough came in 1956 with the release of the first hard drive, RAMAC, by IBM. Since then, the evolution of storage has been remarkable, progressing through semiconductor chips, floppy disks, CDs, DVDs, and modern storage solutions like SSDs and cloud infrastructure.
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