Oral History of Peter Goglia

The interview provides a valuable first-hand account of the disk drive industry’s evolution over four decades. Peter Goglia’s narrative is rich in technical detail, particularly regarding tribology, head-disk interface, and the challenges of developing thin film disks and MR heads. His academic background in tribology and his practical experience in building mechanical devices give him a unique perspective. The host, Bruno Marchon, is well-versed in the field, asking informed questions that elicit detailed responses. The interview’s strength lies in its authenticity and the depth of personal experience shared. However, as an oral history, it is inherently subjective and relies on memory, which can be fallible. The lack of external sources or references means that claims are not independently verified. The discussion is largely technical but accessible to a knowledgeable audience. The business aspects are touched upon but not deeply explored. The interview’s pacing is conversational, and the content is well-organized chronologically. The adéquation between title and content is perfect. Overall, this is a valuable resource for those interested in the history of computing and data storage, offering insights not found in textbooks. The main limitation is the absence of corroborating evidence for some claims, but this is typical for oral histories. The interview is a significant contribution to the historical record, and the Computer History Museum’s effort to preserve such narratives is commendable.

The title accurately reflects the content: a first-person oral history of Peter Goglia's career in the disk drive industry.

8/10

The interview is conducted by a knowledgeable host (Bruno Marchon) and features a primary source (Peter Goglia) recounting his career. The Computer History Museum is a reputable institution. The transcript is available for verification. However, the content is anecdotal and relies on memory, with no external sources cited.

Markers derived by PSI from the transcript: the creator did not define chapters.

• 00:00Introduction of Peter Goglia by Bruno Marchon.
• 02:00Goglia discusses his childhood hobbies and early interest in building things.
• 05:00Goglia talks about his high school years and academic performance.
• 08:00Goglia describes his undergraduate studies at Cornell and his decision to attend graduate school.
• 10:00Goglia explains his PhD research on tribology and concentrated contact lubrication.
• 15:00Goglia recounts his first job at Hewlett Packard's Disc Memory Division.
• 30:00Goglia discusses early work on thin film disks and MR heads at HP.
• 1:00:00Goglia talks about his move to Imprimis/Seagate and work on slider air bearings.
• 1:30:00Goglia describes his role at Western Digital and the company's turnaround.
• 1:56:40Concluding remarks and reflections on the industry.

• Computer History Museum Catalog Entry — Transcript of the interview and additional information.

• Computer History Museum — Institution that conducted and archived the interview.