Cambridge University launches project to rescue data trapped on old floppy disks

Cambridge University Library has launched the Future Nostalgia project to rescue data from over 150 floppy disks in its collections, including items from the Stephen Hawking archive and early research drafts. The project aims to develop best practices for floppy disk recovery, utilizing specialized hardware to capture flux transitions and reconstruct file structures. As magnetic coatings degrade over time and floppy disk drives become scarce, the initiative is crucial for preserving historical and personal data. Future Nostalgia also seeks to create a transparent workflow for other institutions facing similar challenges in recovering data from obsolete media.