7 Apr
1999
7 Apr
'99
4:25 a.m.
On Mon, 5 Apr 1999, Tony Duell wrote:
IBM invented the floppy disk to distribute microcode updates.
Sellam
I believe that I saw the first floppy disk drive invented at IBM San Jose
in late 1969. It was designed to load microcode into the new selector
channels being designed for the IBM S-370. Unlike the CPU's and selector
channels of the S-360 that had a variety of ROM designs, the System 370 and
the stand alone selector channels had writable control stores for microcode.
The device was very primitive since it was essentially a read only device
when installed in the channel. It was designed by Al Shugart or a team
under his direction. I know he was credited with it within IBM. I have
always hoped somebody would do an oral history with him of his IBM days and
the reasons that he left to start his own company.
Dean
computers, the service representative came to the site, opened a panel
on the operator console, and changed the 5 1/4" floppy disk. By doing
I think I read somewhere that the 8" floppy was originally designed for
this purpose.