The first 1-gigabyte USB flash drive cost $10,000 in 2000. Today, you can get one for less than $10.

In 2000, the first 1-gigabyte USB flash drive was a cutting-edge innovation, but it came with a steep price—$10,000. At the time, this was groundbreaking in data storage, offering convenience and portability that far exceeded floppy disks and CDs. However, it was a luxury few could afford.

Today, the same 1GB USB flash drive can be purchased for less than $10. This drastic price drop is the result of technological advancements, mass production, and increased competition. Over the years, the cost of manufacturing flash memory has significantly decreased, and economies of scale have made USB drives widely accessible.

The drop in price also reflects changing consumer demand. As larger-capacity drives, like 32GB or 128GB, became more common, smaller drives like 1GB became much cheaper. Today, a 128GB flash drive costs less than $30, a stark contrast to the high prices of the early 2000s.

This evolution in data storage mirrors the broader trends in technology, where prices continue to fall as products become more advanced. As cloud storage and other technologies emerge, USB flash drives remain a simple and reliable tool, highlighting just how far we've come in a short time.