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Technology 101: Floppy Disk Revolution: Why 1.44 MB Changed Everything

Floppy Disk Computing Storage

The floppy disk was a portable magnetic storage medium introduced by IBM in 1971. Initially, an 8-inch flexible disk encased in a cardboard jacket holding about 80 KB of data, it evolved into the rigid 5.25-inch version (up to 1.2 MB) in the late 1970s and the ubiquitous 3.5-inch hard-shell format (1.44 MB standard) by the mid-1980s, popularized by Apple’s Macintosh and Sony’s design. Data was written and read via a spinning disk coated with magnetic material, accessed through a sliding metal shutter, making it ideal for transferring files, distributing software, and booting systems. Image source: Wikimedia/George Chernilevsky

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Economy 101: Rare Earth – Understanding the Robust Economy

Rare Earth Minerals Economy

The following rare earth oxides, listed clockwise from the top center, are commonly used for tracking sediment movement and pinpointing erosion sources with high precision: praseodymium oxide (Pr₆O₁₁), cerium oxide (CeO₂), lanthanum oxide (La₂O₃), neodymium oxide (Nd₂O₃), samarium oxide (Sm₂O₃), and gadolinium oxide (Gd₂O₃). Each oxide is selected for its unique signature, enabling scientists to map sediment transport, assess erosion rates, and inform watershed management strategies to mitigate environmental degradation. Image source: Wikimedia/By Peggy Greb (US Department of Agriculture)

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Military 101: Modern Assault Rifles: A Global Perspective

M16 AK47 Assault Rifle Weapon Military

The M16 and AK-47 are iconic assault rifles with distinct characteristics: the M16, designed by Eugene Stoner and adopted by the U.S. military, is a lightweight, accurate, gas-operated rifle firing 5.56x45mm NATO rounds, offering a high rate of fire and effective range of around 600 meters, but it requires regular maintenance to avoid jamming in harsh conditions; in contrast, the AK-47, designed by Mikhail Kalashnikov for the Soviet Union, is a rugged, reliable, gas-operated rifle using 7.62x39mm rounds, with a shorter effective range of about 400 meters and less accuracy but superior durability and ease of use in adverse environments, making it a favorite in guerrilla warfare and among militaries worldwide. Image source: Wikipedia/Auge=mit – Own work, CC BY-SA 4.0

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