USB flash drive

USB Flash Drive

A USB flash drive is a data storage device that includes flash memory with an integrated USB interface. It is typically removable, rewritable, and much smaller than an optical disc. Most weigh less than 30 grams (1 oz). Since their invention in the late 1990s, as of 2023, USB flash drives have largely replaced floppy disks and CDs for data storage and transfer.

USB flash drives are often used for the same purposes for which floppy disks or CDs were used, i.e., for storage, data back-up, and transfer of computer files. They are smaller, faster, have thousands of times more capacity, and are more durable and reliable because they have no moving parts.

History

The first USB flash drive was developed in 1998 by IBM, which sold it under the name "DiskOnKey". The device was manufactured by M-Systems, a company based in Israel. The first commercial USB flash drive was released in 2000 by Trek Technology and IBM, with a storage capacity of 8 MB.

Design and Functionality

USB flash drives consist of a small printed circuit board carrying the circuit elements and a USB connector, insulated electrically and protected inside a plastic, metal, or rubberized case. The drive is connected to the computer via the USB port, and it is powered by the computer's USB interface.

Storage Capacity

The storage capacity of USB flash drives has increased significantly over the years. Early models offered storage capacities of 8 MB, while modern drives can store up to 2 TB of data.

Speed

The speed of USB flash drives is determined by the USB version they support. USB 1.0 and 1.1 are the slowest, while USB 2.0 offers faster data transfer rates. USB 3.0 and USB 3.1 provide even higher speeds, with USB 3.1 offering up to 10 Gbps.

Uses

USB flash drives are used for:

• Data storage and transfer
• System administration
• Application carriers
• Booting operating systems

Security

Some USB flash drives offer encryption and password protection to secure data. This is particularly important for drives that store sensitive information.

Related Pages

• USB
• Flash memory
• Solid-state drive
• Data storage device

References

• "USB Flash Drive." Wikipedia, The Free Encyclopedia. Wikipedia, The Free Encyclopedia, last visited October 2023.
• "History of USB Flash Drives." Techopedia. Accessed October 2023.

Gallery

• 
  SanDisk Cruzer USB 4GB Thumb Drive
• 
  SanDisk Ultra Flair Flash Drive
• 
  Transcend JetFlash
• 
  1TB USB Flash Drive
• 
  USB Key Internals
• 
  MicroSD Flash Drive
• 
  Kingston DataTraveler Disassembled
• 
  USB Flash Drive
• 
  Sushi USB Drive
• 
  Key Shaped USB Drive
• 
  Custom USB Drives
• 
  Windows To Go USB Drive
• 
  Sony Walkman USB Drive
• 
  Wizo USB Stick
• 
  Ubuntu USB Lanyard
• 
  IBM Card Storage
• 
  Flash Drive vs. Floppy
• 
  8GB Media Comparison
• 
  USB 3.0 Flash Drive PCB

• 
  USB flash drive
• 
  USB flash drive
• 
  USB flash drive
• 
  USB flash drive
• 
  USB flash drive
• 
  USB flash drive
• 
  USB flash drive
• 
  USB flash drive
• 
  USB flash drive
• 
  USB flash drive
• 
  USB flash drive
• 
  USB flash drive