A new program at Cambridge University Library is asking people to bring in their old floppy disks, allowing researchers to extract digital artifacts like documents and files that belonged to famous individuals, including Stephen Hawking. Technical analyst Leontien Talboom explains why this project is crucial, given the fading of floppy disk technology.
The idea for the program came from a technical analyst who realized that floppy disks were more complicated than initially thought. Despite being popular in the ’80s and ’90s, floppy disks are now obsolete due to their inability to be read without specialized equipment. Researchers like Leontien Talboom work tirelessly to revive these digital artifacts.
Talboom states that floppy disks contain a significant portion of our cultural heritage, including research data and personal documents from famous individuals. The Stephen Hawking Archive at Cambridge University Library is one such collection that has been preserved on floppy disks.
Recently, the library hosted an event called “Copy that Floppy,” which allowed people to bring in their floppy disks for extraction. This led to a flood of requests, with participants ranging from those with family pictures to individuals who had written master’s dissertations on floppy disks.
Talboom emphasizes the importance of preserving digital information by storing it in multiple places, as this can prevent loss due to technological obsolescence or environmental factors like moisture. She advises keeping backups on different devices and avoiding storing them in garages or lofts, which can be prone to damage from dampness or cold temperatures.
By reviving lost digital artifacts from floppy disks, researchers are working to preserve our cultural heritage for future generations.
Source: https://www.npr.org/2025/10/26/nx-s1-5582312/floppy-disks-get-a-second-life-at-cambridge-university-library