INSIDE A USB FLASH DRIVE

The humble flash drive reinvented the way we store and transfer computer files.

- JACK PARSONS

TWENTY YEARS AGO, THIS GADGET WAS A GAME CHANGER. THE FACT YOU think nothing of how commonplace they are today just goes to show what an impact they've had. It goes by many names, including USB flash drive, USB stick, USB flash disk, flash drive, pen drive, memory stick, and thumb drive, but, whatever you call it, it is a portable way of storing and transferring data.

Its seemingly simple design is a clever combination of two technologies: flash memory and the Universal Serial Bus (USB). Flash memory, which was developed in the 1980s, was an innovative alternative to traditional hard drives and floppy and stiffy disks.

Unlike these storage options, however, flash memory didn't have any moving parts. This meant it was less likely to break and could transfer data faster.

The USB connector was created to make using a PC simpler. It replaced a bunch of different cables that you needed just to use your mouse, keyboard, and printer with one type that could transfer both data and electrical power.

At the turn of the millennium flash memory chips were affordable and USB ports were on almost every computer.