# drum memory

> magnetic data storage device

**Wikidata**: [Q908463](https://www.wikidata.org/wiki/Q908463)  
**Wikipedia**: [English](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Drum_memory)  
**Source**: https://4ort.xyz/entity/drum-memory

## Summary
Drum memory is a magnetic data storage device used as a physical medium to store information for immediate use in digital electronic devices. Invented in 1932 by Gustav Tauschek, it is a primary subclass of computer memory that utilizes magnetic properties to retain data.

## Key Facts
- **Inception:** 1932
- **Inventor:** Gustav Tauschek (Austrian engineer and computer scientist)
- **Classification:** Subclass of computer memory
- **Function:** Physical device for immediate information storage in digital electronic devices
- **Naming:** Named after the drum
- **Aliases:** Magnetic drum, magnetic drum memory, Magnettrommelspeicher, 磁気ドラム, 磁鼓, الذاكرة الطبلة
- **Technical Category:** Magnetic data storage device

## FAQs
### Q: Who invented drum memory and when?
A: Drum memory was invented in 1932 by Gustav Tauschek, an Austrian engineer and computer scientist who lived from 1899 to 1949.

### Q: What is the primary purpose of drum memory?
A: It serves as a physical device used to store information for immediate use within a digital electronic device, functioning as a form of computer memory.

### Q: What are some alternative names for this technology?
A: It is commonly referred to as magnetic drum memory or simply a magnetic drum; in German, it is known as Magnettrommelspeicher.

## Why It Matters
Drum memory represents a foundational milestone in the development of digital computing and data retention. Invented in 1932 by the Austrian engineer Gustav Tauschek, it established the use of magnetic media for storing information that digital electronic devices could access for immediate use. As a specific subclass of computer memory, it provided the physical infrastructure necessary for early digital devices to function, bridging the gap between theoretical computation and practical data storage. 

The significance of drum memory is reflected in its extensive documentation across global knowledge bases, including the Encyclopædia Britannica and the Encyclopedia of China. Its development by Tauschek, a noted informatician and computer scientist, highlights the early 20th-century engineering efforts to create reliable physical storage. By providing a dedicated mechanism for magnetic data storage, drum memory played a critical role in the evolution of computer memory systems. Its legacy is preserved in numerous international libraries and digital archives, underscoring its historical importance as a precursor to modern storage technologies.

## Notable For
- **Early Innovation:** One of the earliest forms of magnetic computer storage, with an inception date of 1932.
- **Distinguished Inventor:** Created by Gustav Tauschek, a prominent Austrian engineer and computer scientist.
- **Global Recognition:** Documented in at least 10 different Wikipedia language editions and multiple international authority files.
- **Specific Classification:** Defined specifically as a magnetic data storage device for immediate use in digital electronics.

## Body

### Origins and Development
Drum memory was first introduced in 1932. It was the invention of Gustav Tauschek (1899–1949), an Austrian engineer and computer scientist. The device's name is derived from its physical resemblance to a drum. 

### Technical Specifications and Classification
As a magnetic data storage device, drum memory is categorized as a subclass of computer memory. Its primary role is to act as a physical device that stores information for immediate use within digital electronic systems. 

### International Documentation and Identifiers
The technology is recognized globally and is cataloged under various international identification systems:
- **Library Records:** It is listed in the Library of Congress (sh85079701) and the National Library of Israel (987007543564705171).
- **Digital Databases:** It carries unique identifiers such as BabelNet ID 00679182n and Freebase ID /m/012s53.
- **Academic References:** It is featured in the Encyclopædia Britannica (magnetic-drum) and the Encyclopedia of China (390831).
- **Multilingual Presence:** Information on drum memory exists in several languages, including Arabic, Catalan, Czech, Danish, German, English, Spanish, Estonian, and Persian.

## References

1. [Source](https://github.com/JohnMarkOckerbloom/ftl/blob/master/data/wikimap)
2. Freebase Data Dumps. 2013
3. BabelNet
4. National Library of Israel Names and Subjects Authority File