Magnetic Core Memory USB Drive Moves Files Between PCs

We are watching a Japanese researcher turn a 1950s-era storage technology into a functional USB drive. This project proves that magnetic core memory can still move data between computers, even if the speed is painfully slow. You should care because it demonstrates the physical limits of early computing hardware in a modern context.

Retro storage device transfers text and images at Maker Faire

The device was built by a researcher known online as @dydt_Nao. It uses a Raspberry Pi Pico microcontroller to manage the read and write operations of the magnetic cores. This setup allows the ancient storage medium to interface with modern USB ports on personal computers.

Specifications

• Storage Capacity: 128 bytes
• Physical Dimensions: 12 inches (30cm) square
• Controller: Raspberry Pi Pico
• LED Array: 32 x 32
• Image Support: Monochrome BMP up to 32 x 28 pixels

The physical storage capacity is exactly 128 bytes. The drive is roughly 12 inches square and features a 32 by 32 array of red LEDs that visualize the data states. It supports monochrome bitmap images up to 32 by 28 pixels, which fits within the tiny storage limit.

Reading data from the drive erases the stored information, so users must handle the files carefully. Windows identifies the drive as having a 6.5KB capacity because the controller adds overhead to the raw 128 bytes. The creator describes the project as a successful experiment in moving text files between PCs.

The device will be displayed and demonstrated at Maker Faire Tokyo 2026 on September 5 and 6. The event takes place at Ariake Gymnasium EX in Tokyo, Japan. This is the first public appearance of the working prototype.

The researcher claims this is possibly the world's first magnetic core memory USB drive to successfully transfer files. The project highlights the extreme constraints of early storage technology compared to modern flash drives. The demonstration will show the physical process of data transfer in real time.