Note
Object Name:
Exatron Stringy Floppy Tape Drive (SWTPC 6800‑Compatible)
Maker:
Exatron, Inc., California, USA
Date of Manufacture:
Circa 1978–1980
Description:
The Exatron Stringy Floppy is an early microcomputer storage device that used a unique endless‑loop magnetic tape wafer instead of a rotating disk. Designed as a low‑cost, faster alternative to audio cassette storage, the Stringy Floppy provided quasi‑random access by continuously circulating a narrow tape loop past a stepper‑positioned read/write head. This SWTPC‑compatible unit was marketed to owners of the SWTPC 6800 and 6809 systems, offering improved load times and more reliable data access compared to standard cassette interfaces.
The drive accepted proprietary Exatron “wafer” cartridges, typically 75 feet in length, with formatted capacities ranging from 10 KB to ~90 KB depending on system software. Although innovative, the system suffered from mechanical fragility, tape tension issues, and limited capacity. As 5.25‑inch floppy disk prices rapidly fell around 1980–1982, the Stringy Floppy was quickly eclipsed and discontinued.
Historical Significance:
The Stringy Floppy represents a transitional moment in personal computing storage technology—an inventive attempt to bridge the gap between inexpensive cassette systems and the emerging floppy disk standard. Its short production run and reliance on proprietary media make surviving units uncommon, especially those tied to specific platforms like the SWTPC 6800.
Collector’s Notes:
This example is a rare SWTPC‑compatible unit, originally sold as an upgrade for early 6800 systems. The model is identifiable from the original listing as a “Vintage Rare Exatron Stringy Floppy for SWTPC 6800” . Devices of this type are prized for their unusual engineering, limited distribution, and importance in documenting pre‑floppy storage experimentation.
