A Brief History of Data Storage

Explore the fascinating evolution of data storage in this engaging conference talk from NDC Oslo 2023. Delve into the history of human knowledge preservation, from ancient clay tablets to cutting-edge digital technologies. Discover how our methods for recording information have transformed over time, adapting to meet the needs of both humans and computers. Examine the challenges of creating storage systems that cater to both human and machine understanding, and learn why certain storage methods have proven more effective than others. Gain insights into current best practices for data preservation and get a glimpse of potential future innovations in the field. No prior knowledge is required, but a curiosity for intriguing historical facts will enhance your experience. Journey through time, exploring topics such as floppy disks, optical drives, magnetic tapes, hard drives, flash memory, and even unconventional concepts like DNA storage and time crystals.