> Why wouldn’t it be possible . . . to construct read/write
> heads that were . . . say on 4 or more arms ...
When I asked that question of some R&D guys back in the
80s, the answer was that the unpredictable inertial
interaction (vibration) between the heads and the
platters made it impossible to compensate for.
Multiple heads on the same arm has been considered too,
and is apparently too heavy, for starters.
Head-per-track, of course, is what drum drives were.
No one misses them.
THANKS.
Much appreciate your knowledgeable answer.
Have pondered that for 20 years.
Nice to lay it to rest finally! LOL.