write-only memory

write-only memory
 n.

   The obvious antonym to read-only memory. Out of frustration with the
   long and seemingly useless chain of approvals required of component
   specifications, during which no actual checking seemed to occur, an
   engineer at Signetics once created a specification for a write-only
   memory and included it with a bunch of other specifications to be
   approved. This inclusion came to the attention of Signetics
   {management} only when regular customers started calling and asking
   for pricing information. Signetics published a corrected edition of
   the data book and requested the return of the `erroneous' ones. Later,
   in 1972, Signetics bought a double-page spread in Electronics
   magazine's April issue and used the spec as an April Fools' Day joke.
   Instead of the more conventional characteristic curves, the 25120
   "fully encoded, 9046 x N, Random Access, write-only-memory" data sheet
   included diagrams of "bit capacity vs.: Temp.", "Iff vs. Vff", "Number
   of pins remaining vs.: number of socket insertions", and "AQL vs.:
   selling price". The 25120 required a 6.3 VAC VFF supply, a +10V VCC,
   and VDD of 0V, +-2%.
    

write-only memory
WOM

   1. <jargon, humour> (WOM) The obvious antonym to "{read-only
   memory}" (ROM).

   Out of frustration with the long and seemingly useless chain
   of approvals required of component specifications, during
   which no actual checking seemed to occur, an engineer at
   {Signetics} once created a specification for a write-only
   memory and included it with a bunch of other specifications to
   be approved.  This inclusion came to the attention of
   Signetics {management} only when regular customers started
   calling and asking for pricing information.  Signetics
   published a corrected edition of the data book and requested
   the return of the "erroneous" ones.  Later, around 1974,
   Signetics bought a double-page spread in "Electronics"
   magazine's April issue and used the spec as an April Fools'
   Day joke.  Instead of the more conventional characteristic
   curves, the 25120 "fully encoded, 9046 x N, Random Access,
   write-only-memory" data sheet included diagrams of "bit
   capacity vs. Temp.", "Iff vs. Vff", "Number of pins remaining
   vs. number of socket insertions", and "AQL vs. selling price".
   The 25120 required a 6.3 VAC VFF supply, a +10V VCC, and VDD
   of 0V, +/- 2%.

   2. {bit bucket}.

   [{Jargon File}]

   (2007-03-24)