(Polymatt)
In an impressive feat of retro-engineering, YouTuber polymatt has recreated a working floppy disk entirely from scratch, reviving the iconic storage medium that dominated computing from the 1970s to 1990s.
Table of Contents
How It Was Made
- Design & Fabrication
- Used Shapr3D and MakeraCAM to model the disk’s enclosure.
- Precision-cut aluminum components on a Carvera Air CNC machine.
- The Magnetic Disk
- Laser-cut a PET film sheet (polyester) as the base.
- Coated it with iron oxide powder suspension for data storage.
- Assembly & Testing
- After meticulous assembly, polymatt successfully magnetized the disk.
- Achieved basic read/write functionality, proving the DIY disk works.
Why Floppies Matter(ed)
- Historical Significance: The floppy disk was the primary portable storage for decades.
- Cultural Legacy: Inspired the universal “Save” icon still used today.
- Modern Obscurity: Officially declared dead in 2010, with holdouts like Japan’s government and the German Navy finally retiring them by 2024.
Bigger Implications
- Nostalgic Tech Revival: Highlights growing interest in retro-computing projects.
- Engineering Challenge: Demonstrates how even “outdated” tech involves complex material science.
- What’s Next? Polymatt jokingly teased building a Zip drive next.
Watch the Full Build: [polymatt’s YouTube Channel]
Thoughts? Would you use a floppy disk today, or is this purely a nostalgia trip? Comment below!
