http://www.boingboing.net/2010/06/24/ibm-hard-disk-drive.html
And I though the original Winchesters were big!
Back in the day when rocks were soft, processors jogged at under 5 MHz and bits traveled at a leisurely 110 baud, I repaired Zenith Data Systems units. They had an 8-bit micro in an all-in-one case that ran CP/M. They also had an external 5 MB Winchester drive unit that was about the size of a countertop microwave (8" platters too!). If you sat in a wheeled office chair, powered one down and twisted it in your grip while the platters still spun (no autopark back then), the gyroscopic action would twist you on the chair.
Man…
I love these old stories. (no sarcasm) --It’s like hearing of the good ol’ days before nail guns!