CD-R

The Compact Disc (CD) for recorded audio was released in 1982 and the Compact Disc-Read Only Memory (CD-ROM) was released in 1985 for storing information readable by a computer. But it wasn’t until 1991 when the Compact Disc Recordable (CD-R) was released when it was possible to record data to an optical disc without a commercial manufacturing facility.

Despite popular belief, the average lifespan of a CD-R is only 10 years and many will fail within 18 months. The nasty secret about CD-R discs is the green, blue, or silver color you see is organic material that can decay in as little as one week if exposed to direct sunlight.

The exception to this is discs that use inert gold as the recording material can last up 100 years. Unfortunately, gold discs are more expensive and not widely used. Note that scratches on the top are more harmful than scratches on the underside, so be cautious about writing on discs and don’t remove adhesive labels. 

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