Back then, floppy disks were the popular medium for taking files on the go and transferring them from one computer brake chamber Factory to another. These cheap storage mediums weren't so reliable since the disk capacity was so low, transfer speeds were slow and they can easily be damaged.
Optical discs started replacing the floppy disks boasting higher capacities and serve as great backup mediums, but the data needs to be burned and that can be time consuming depending on both the drive and the disc. Rewritable's were more reliant for travelling, but the data needs to be completely wiped out for new data to come in. All optical discs can still be subjected to damage from scratches and harmful elements as well.All of these issues were about to be solved with the introduction to USB flash drives and due to their decreasing costs and higher storage capacities while maintaining their small profiles, USB flash drives are the most popular storage devices for easy transferring and worry free travelling. Here is a look on the technology that powers these amazing devices:Flash Memory TechnologyFlash drives are bi-products of recent advances in microprocessor technology. They are not simply miniaturized versions of standard sized hard drives where moving parts are included. Instead, flash drives use a type of electronic memory known as flash memory. This same technology that powers flash memory is also used by computers, digital cameras and gaming consoles as RAM (random-access memory) because they are fast and easy to access.
USB drives take advantage of that speed and use it as actual storage instead.USB TechnologyThe USB technology isn't anything new and started out with mice and other peripherals adopting the technology for better compatibility and speed. USB devices were most famous for their easy usage as soon as the device gets plugged in. No complicated setups or drivers were needed which is why it was the port of choice. Unlike other ports, USB ports act as a source of power providing low power to devices which is just enough for flash devices to operate without any external power source like the bigger external hard disks. The fact that they are solid-state storage devices explains this since there are no mechanical parts inside.Both Technologies CombinedThe power of the flash memory and connectivity of the USB make the perfect connection to a reliable storage device at a cheap cost. Both of these are technologies that have been in existence since the earlier days of computing, but none of them are going away anytime soon. The technology continues to grow as USB devices are upping the storage capacities, making the transfer speeds faster, externally modifying them to last longer and take more abuse and add better security features.
Microprocessor technology is also showing signs of advancement allowing USB flash drives to be thinner and smaller than ever, yet still manage to maintain high storage capacities. This is why flash drives have become so popular amongst regular and heavy computer users.