When reflecting on the evolution of technology, flash drives stand out as remarkable innovations. The journey began in 1956 with the introduction of IBM’s 305 RAMAC, the first computer featuring built-in storage. This machine was a behemoth, weighing 2,000 pounds and occupying the space of a bathroom stall, yet it offered a mere 5 megabytes of storage. In stark contrast, today’s flash drives, which can be purchased for less than the price of a meal, are smaller than a fingertip and boast storage capacities exceeding one terabyte, representing a staggering 200,000-fold increase.
USB flash drives are not only compact and affordable but also tend to accumulate due to their convenience. Losing a flash drive can happen as easily as misplacing a pen. Unless they contain essential files, many people find it simpler to purchase a new one rather than search for the lost item. Consequently, it’s common to end up with a collection of these devices cluttering a desk drawer, reminiscent of multiplying tribbles.
Fortunately, old flash drives can serve purposes beyond merely transferring files between computers. Instead of discarding them, consider these ten practical uses for your outdated flash drives.
