Technology history you can touch: Core Memory
TRIDELTA Campus / Lisa Schäfer • 24.03.2025
On March 13, 2024, there was a special event in Hermsdorf: Andrew Geppert from Minneapolis (USA) visited the CAMPUS company Tridelta Weichferrite GmbH to learn about the traditional rectangular ferrite technology - a technology that once produced billions of memory cores for early computers.
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From historical know-how to modern education
Before the discovery of the so-called GMR effect, magnetic cores were produced in huge quantities at the former Keramische Werke Hermsdorf. These small components, once essential for early computer technology, are experiencing a renaissance thanks to Andrew Geppert. With his experimental kit "Core64", he is bringing the technology back to its place of origin - as a learning tool for schoolchildren and prospective computer science students.
For the first time, Geppert presented his kit in Germany - in the very place where the memory core technology was once developed: in Hermsdorf.
Tridelta Weichferrite GmbH is now the last remaining manufacturer of magnetic ceramics in Germany and Europe. These high-tech materials are used in a wide range of modern electronics and vehicle technologies. During his visit in mid-March, Andrew Geppert was welcomed by Managing Director Rico Wachs and former employees. Together, they explored the production facility and discussed the past and future of magnetic ceramics.</p
Technological history you can touch
After the factory tour, Andrew Geppert presented his experimental kit and showed how the old memory cores can still be used today. For the invited guests and the press, it was a fascinating journey through time that impressively demonstrated that traditional technology can still provide valuable impetus for education and innovation today.
Picture: Andrew Geppert shows off his Core64 experiment kit.