Which type of drive is considered the oldest form of optical storage?

The CD (Compact Disc) is recognized as the oldest form of optical storage among the options provided. Introduced in the early 1980s, it was initially developed as a medium for audio storage and eventually adapted for data storage as well, gaining popularity for software distribution, music, and later, for storing large amounts of data. The CD uses a laser to read and write data, which is a defining feature of optical storage.

In contrast, while DVD drives and Blu-ray drives also utilize optical technology, they were developed later, with DVDs coming in the mid-1990s and Blu-ray in the early 2000s, both offering higher storage capacities than CDs. Magnetic tape drives, while an important data storage method, are not classified as optical storage, as they rely on magnetic fields rather than lasers to read and write data. Thus, the CD stands out as the pioneer in optical storage technology.