Floppy Drive [Toshiba]
Maker and role
Toshiba Corporation, Manufacturer
See full details
Object detail
Accession number
2020.39.2
Maker
Production period
Description
Black, square floppy drive. The front of the floppy drive is black with a small red light and an opening to insert a 5 1/4 inch floppy disc. The drive is made up of various electrical components and a green switchboard. A small cylindrical motor on the rear left corner has a white sticker which reads, "DC COPAL MOTOR / LC-177G JAPAN / 374". At the rear of the drive is a small silver sticker with black text, "WORLD STORAGE TECHNOLOGY / MODEL NO. FDD 211-5 01 / SERIAL NO. / ASSEMBLED IN HONG KONG / SA / RJ". Engraved onto the sticker is, "A2235". A black stamp on the rear of the drive reads, "28 / BH / BH". On the right-hand side of the drive is a small, black, square motor with a silver sticker which reads, "TEC STEPPING MOTOR / TYPE SPH-42A-12 / 3.6 DEG/STEP / LOT NO. 8338 / TOKYO ELECTRIC CO., LTD. MADE IN JAPAN". On the bottom of the drive are two black stamps, "10 / S" and a small circular belt.
Brief History
This floppy drive is from an early 1980s Compaq portable computer (2020.39.1). It was removed from the computer by the owner to allow him to install extra memory. The computer had 512KB of memory as standard, which could be extended to 640KB on the main motherboard. If additional memory was needed, it could be physically installed on an extended memory board. After the owner installed this the computer had 2,000KB of memory.
The microcomputers of the early 1980s lead to a boom in home computing. Microcomputer clubs existed across New Zealand and annual shows were held, with many New Zealanders experiencing this first wave of home computers as hobbyists or playing 1980s computer games.
The microcomputers of the early 1980s lead to a boom in home computing. Microcomputer clubs existed across New Zealand and annual shows were held, with many New Zealanders experiencing this first wave of home computers as hobbyists or playing 1980s computer games.
Marks
DC COPAL MOTOR / LC-177G JAPAN / 374 Sticker
WORLD STORAGE TECHNOLOGY / MODEL NO. FDD 211-5 01 / SERIAL NO. / ASSEMBLED IN HONG KONG / SA / RJ Sticker
A2235 Engraved
28 / BH / BH Ink Stamp
TEC STEPPING MOTOR / TYPE SPH-42A-12 / 3.6 DEG/STEP / LOT NO. 8338 / TOKYO ELECTRIC CO., LTD. MADE IN JAPAN Sticker
10 / S Ink Stamp
WORLD STORAGE TECHNOLOGY / MODEL NO. FDD 211-5 01 / SERIAL NO. / ASSEMBLED IN HONG KONG / SA / RJ Sticker
A2235 Engraved
28 / BH / BH Ink Stamp
TEC STEPPING MOTOR / TYPE SPH-42A-12 / 3.6 DEG/STEP / LOT NO. 8338 / TOKYO ELECTRIC CO., LTD. MADE IN JAPAN Sticker
10 / S Ink Stamp
Media/Materials
Credit Line
Toshiba Corporation. Floppy Drive [Toshiba], 2020.39.2. The Museum of Transport and Technology (MOTAT).
![Portable Computer [Compaq]; COMPAQ Computer Corporation; 1983; 1984](https://collection.motat.nz/records/images/medium/51624/1b2fc59b40a7ba1f41bdc13fc61d8f10f4055ad7.jpg)
Public comments
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