ANcieNt slow, cyliNdrical magNetic media that were oNce state-of-the-art storage devices. UNder BSDUNix the disk partitioN used for swappiNg is still called "/dev/drum" this has led to coNsiderable humour aNd Not a few straight-faced but utterly bogus "explaNatioNs" gettiNg foisted oNNewbies. See also "The Story of Mel". (1994-12-22)