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Write-Only Memory (WOM) is a fictional concept of computer memory that can be written to but not read. It originated as a practical joke at Signetics manufacturing company in 1972. While WOM does not exist, engineers use the term to refer to devices that fail to store data properly.
Write-Only Memory (WOM) is a joke concept that refers to computer memory that can be written to, but never read. Since this would be logistically counterproductive, manufacturers don’t actually make write-only memory. There may be instances where hardware or software design errors result in a situation where data may be written to an inaccessible area. These issues are typically discovered during testing and fixed in a way that doesn’t become frustrating for users.
According to legend, the write-only memory hoax began at the Signetics manufacturing company, where an engineer frustrated that the documentation wasn’t read created its specifications. The goal was to determine whether the review process would catch the clearly bogus standards for a product that the company would not and would not make, as it had no practical use. These would be handed out to customers, who asked for more information, alerting the company that it had unintentionally sent in joking documentation.
In April 1972, Signetics ran a two-page advertisement for its write-only memory products as a joke. The ad included technical drawings and a list of incomprehensible specifications such as “Vcc=+10 volts”. Notes intended to mimic those found in other tech announcements have been included, with comments like “For filaments, what else!” and “Final until we take a look at some real parts.” Numerous copies have been circulated by amused engineers and product designers and can be found archived on several websites for people interested to view.
Practical jokes are not uncommon in tech and internet companies, and many involve parodies of this nature, branding products and services that don’t exist and would be highly impractical if they were. Some include references that will only be understandable to insiders of the industry, or involve inside jokes that may not be familiar to all but people who work for a particular company or department. Lack of communication between engineers and other members of the design teams can be a constant problem and, as a result, not infrequently joked about.
While Signetics didn’t actually intend to make write-only memory, and neither did other manufacturers, the legend lives on. Engineers may also use the term derogatorily in discussions of devices that have failed and are storing data improperly or inaccessibly. Their references suggest that while the system appears to be perfectly capable of writing data, locating it later may be an impossible task due to memory corruption or another problem, making it as useful as write-only memory.
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