Diskettes, as early forms of removable magnetic storage, played a pivotal role in the advent of personal computing. These media evolved from large 8‑inch formats used in early mainframe environments to more compact designs—most notably the 5.25‑inch and 3.5‑inch diskettes—that eventually became ubiquitous in desktop and portable computers. Two interrelated narratives in this evolution are the contributions of Dysan, a prominent storage media manufacturer, and the debates surrounding “shirt pocket” diskettes, which aimed to produce portable media ideally suited for mobile computing. Dysan’s innovations in manufacturing and design, alongside the industry's struggle to standardize a portable format, highlight the complex interplay between technological capabilities, production constraints, and market forces that ultimately shaped the legacy of diskettes.

Parallel to Dysan’s corporate history was a broader industry debate centered on the need for highly portable storage media—colloquially known as “shirt pocket” diskettes. Before the advent of the 5.25‑inch disk drive, portable computers were virtually non-existent, and the emergence of smaller disk drives was a key enabler of mobile computing. As computer systems matured, various manufacturers experimented with different sizes for portable diskettes, but no clear standard emerged initially. Journalists and industry experts debated extensively over which format—the 3", 3.25", or 3.5" design—would become the definitive “shirt pocket” diskette.

Computer manufacturer George Morrow even proposed that the industry collaborate with the clothing sector to create shirt pockets sized appropriately for carrying storage media, suggesting a 5.25‑inch standard. However, Dysan, then the foremost diskette manufacturer, was reluctant to adopt the emerging 3" and 3.5" designs due to the major retooling that such a transition would require. Instead, Dysan introduced a 3.25" diskette—a smaller version of their established 5.25" format—minimizing production changes while attempting to influence market standards. In a daring strategic move, Dysan ventured into software publishing, cutting distribution deals with major software companies to ensure that key programs were available on 3.25" media. For a time, major software titles were distributed on 3.25" diskettes, but market inertia ultimately favored the 3.5" standard. Despite the production of a significant number of 3.25" drives and diskettes—exemplified by the rare Seequa Chameleon 325—the industry eventually converged on the 3.5" design, leaving the shirt pocket approach as an interesting but ultimately unsuccessful experiment in portable storage.

Dysan’s early work in the development and mass production of the 5.25‑inch floppy disk was a landmark achievement in the history of removable storage. Their pioneering efforts in the mid-1970s not only set technical standards for subsequent diskette designs but also influenced the evolution of portable computing. Dysan’s investment in state-of-the-art manufacturing facilities and innovative design strategies, including environmentally conscious practices, established the company as a leader in the storage media industry, leaving a lasting legacy on the development of digital storage.