Here at National Today, we are gearing up to celebrate National Flash Drive Day on April 5. The small object deserves a commemorative day of its own given how easy it has made it to store and transfer data. The flash drive’s features also keep getting better day by day. For example, did you know that the first flash drive had only 8 MB data capacity? Today, the tiny gadget, usually weighing less than an ounce, can hold more than 2 TB. As if the change in storage capacity wasn’t good enough, now you can also get cool (and rather cute!) looking flash drives in the shapes of hamburgers, noodles, animals, and even — wait for it — Harry Styles.
History of National Flash Drive Day
Back in the ’80s, the Japanese engineer, Dr. Fujio Masuoka, working for Toshiba invented flash memory. The ‘flash’ part of the technology gets its name because the quick erasure action of the memory technology was similar to a camera’s flash. As the years progressed, and the technology enhanced, floppy disks and disc drives became just some of the ways in which the technology was being utilized. However, with the advent of the flash drive, other forms of memory drives became obsolete due to their flimsy and/or bulky structures. The world has Dov Moran, Oron Ogdan, and Amir Ban to thank for the flash drive invention. These Israeli scientists working for M-Systems created the more compact and rectangular chip that made storing and transferring data much easier. Initially, flash drives were only sold in Singapore. But on April 5, 2000, the U.S. acquired a patent for the flash drive and, from then on, it became much more readily available everywhere in the country as well as the rest of the world. To commemorate the technological revolution brought by the flash drive, USB Memory Direct deemed April 5 as the official National Flash Drive Day. People have been celebrating the day by appreciating the device’s versatility and remembering the less fortunate by donating their unused devices.
National Flash Drive Day timeline
Dr. Fujio Masuoka introduces flash memory at the International Electronics Developers Meeting.
USB 1.0 and 1.1 are invented in order to reduce the number of cables needed for connectivity with devices.
Sony brings out PS2 with USB ports for connecting controllers and miscellaneous accessories.
USB, from the 3.1 generation, now boasts a 2.1 TB storage that holds 32,000 pictures, 1,000 video hours, and much more!
National Flash Drive Day FAQs
Why is it called a flash drive?
It’s called a flash drive because of the system on which it runs. The word ‘flash’ relates to the flash memory on which it operates, and ‘drive’ points to the same system that a traditional disc drive uses to read and write information.
What are the best ways to keep information safe on a flash drive?
You can install programs on your drive that require a password to access the drive’s files. A further step of protection includes encrypting your files so that only you can access them.
What are the durability features of a flash drive?
A flash drive, due to its immobile parts, is extremely durable as it can survive surface scratches, falls, pressures, etc.
National Flash Drive Day Activities
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Dive into yesteryear’s technologies
Appreciate the long way we have come by indulging in and/or learning about the technologies in the past. Try watching presentations or picture reels on a floppy disk or playing nostalgic ’80s and ’90s games. Whatever it may be, you will surely come to appreciate the wonder that a flash drive/port is!
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Get funky flash drives
Who would have thought that you can get your favorite celebrity’s face as a flash drive? Carry the little cutie anywhere with you whilst being technologically stylish and funky. You can also get a customized flash drive with all your favorite features directly from USB Memory Direct.
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Donate your extra or unused flash drives
If you have any extra or unused flash drives lying around your space, declutter by donating them to charities, educational institutions, hospitals, or a friend in need.
5 Facts About The USB That Will Blow Your Mind
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Lower temperatures mean longer shelf life
A USB kept in a refrigerator will have a longer shelf life as compared to one kept outside.
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Limited and unlimited capacities of a USB
You can view data on a USB an unlimited amount of times, yet, you can only overwrite the information one million times.
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Windows 10 within reach with USB
You don’t need to visit computer experts to update Windows’ older versions because all you need is a USB.
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No magnet can ruin data on USB
Unlike other memory drives, a USB’s data is not impacted by electromagnetic interference, keeping your data safe and sound.
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Save up on energy with USB
You can become environmentally friendly by using USB drives as they use very little energy.
Why We Love National Flash Drive Day
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It’s a celebration of the limitless possibilities in all areas of the world
Given how tiny it is, flash drives can import and export data discreetly, guaranteeing confidentiality, unlike online storage clouds. In 2016 and 2017, North Korean defectors used flash drives to transfer a substantial amount of data to the outside world to reveal the atrocities committed by their state.
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It’s a celebration of the little things that bring the big changes in our lives
Can you imagine hauling all of your data, hard and soft, everywhere with you? We certainly cannot! Thanks to the little storage friend in our pockets, we can drive our data around in a flash.
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It’s a celebration of the incredible human feats and advancements
50 years ago, it was hard to imagine that we would be carrying around a ton of information stored in a tiny chip. Today, National Flash Drive Day is an ode to what humans can achieve with sheer willpower and determination.
National Flash Drive Day dates
| Year | Date | Day |
|---|---|---|
| 2023 | April 5 | Wednesday |
| 2024 | April 5 | Friday |
| 2025 | April 5 | Saturday |
| 2026 | April 5 | Sunday |
| 2027 | April 5 | Monday |
