Japan has officially banned the use of floppy disks in its government operations. This move comes as part of a broader effort by the country’s new Digital Transformation Minister, Taro Kono, who has declared a war on outdated technology. According to a recent Ars Technica article, the Japanese government required obsolete media formats, including floppy disks, CD-ROMs, and even mini-discs for many official filings.
In my latest video we take a look at the Japanese law and look at why floppy disks persist as a storage medium over a decade after the last one was made. We also have a fun interview with Tom Persky, owner of floppydisk.com, who is one of the last remaining floppy disk retailers.
In the United States, the use of floppy disks persisted in critical areas longer than one might expect. For example, until 2019, the US nuclear arsenal relied on 8-inch floppy disks, which were eventually replaced by secure digital storage solutions. Floppy disks also remain essential in certain private sector areas, particularly in aviation, where some Boeing 747s update their software using 3.5-inch floppy disks.
Despite their obsolescence, floppy disks are not entirely dead. They are still available for purchase online, often from niche suppliers like Tom Persky’s Floppydisk.com. Persky’s business, which started as a software development house, morphed into a disk duplication service in the 1990s. Now it thrives by catering to a dwindling yet persistent market for floppy disks. As retail shelf space for these disks has vanished, Persky’s large inventory and online presence have made him a go-to source for individuals and businesses needing floppy disks.
Floppydisk.com supplies both new old stock and repurposed disks. Persky’s stock comes from various sources, including large purchases from countries like South Africa, Argentina, and Brazil. He also provides a recycling service for used disks, repurposing those that pass reformatting tests and selling others for artistic or promotional uses.
The clientele for floppy disks is diverse. About 10% of Persky’s customers are computer hobbyists looking to revive old games or systems. He says the bulk of his business comes from industrial customers who rely on floppy disks to operate machines built decades ago. These machines, designed to last for decades, still use floppy disks to ingest data for automation.
One common concern about floppy disks is their longevity. Persky notes that disks manufactured during the peak production years of the 1980s and 1990s are generally reliable. In contrast, disks made towards the end of their manufacturing run may be less so. Interestingly, well-maintained floppy disks can sometimes be more dependable than other storage media like USB drives or CDs, which can suffer from issues like “disc rot” over time. I have a few CD’s that I burned in the late 90’s that are rotted out yet many of my 40 year old Apple II disks still read perfectly.
Floppydisk.com also offers data transfer services, helping customers recover old data from floppy disks, such as early drafts of books, financial records, and treasured photographs.
While the future of floppy disks is finite, given that no new disks are being produced, Persky remains optimistic. He acknowledges that the business may not last forever, but is confident that the current inventory will suffice for the foreseeable future.
