Just how tough is an HP 1GB Flash Memory Drive? In Glendale, a unit has been tested. In August 2010, Bill Tracy left an HP in his Dockers when he washed his clothes. Could the HP survive this kind of abuse?

The HP was in his front-right pocket when it endured the mishandling. The Speed Queen commercial washer was set in Normal Permanent Press so dockers were washed in hot water at 110 Degree F. using 1 cup of Tide Detergent powder. Following the wash and rinse cycles, the trousers also went through a full high-speed spin cycle to wring out the wetness.

Then the Dockers were thrown into a Speed Queen Commercial dryer where it collided with steel surfaces. At some point the HP escaped the Docker pocket and endured harsh crashes inside the Dryer. Afterwards, the HP End Cap was still attached.

When the Dryer stopped, all the clothing was removed but the defiant HP stood up leaning against the wall like John Wayne after a gun fight. The solitary figure was immediately identified and removed from the Dryer. But there was serious doubt about any memory left in the unit.

However, when plugged into a Dell computer USB port, all the recorded data was still there. Nothing was missing. It had survived.

So now we know. HP Flash Memory Drives are indeed tough! Can any of the other manufacturers make that boast?