The Resilience of Old Technology

Japan's recent decision to discontinue the use of floppy disks in official business highlights the enduring presence of older technologies, such as magnetic tape, which continues to be used in critical scientific applications. Magnetic tape, while less convenient than newer technologies, offers cost-effectiveness and reliability for archiving vast data at institutions like CERN. In contrast, timeless technologies like clockwork mechanisms remain below the radar, yet they demonstrate ongoing relevance in various fields, including the design of future rovers for extreme environments like Venus, where standard electronics fail. These examples illustrate that some outdated tech remains valuable, not simply due to nostalgia but because they fulfill needs that newer alternatives cannot adequately address.