SanDisk Cruzer Blade USB flash drive

SanDisk is a globally recognized brand synonymous with flash memory storage solutions. Founded in Milpitas, California, in 1988 by Eli Harari, Sanjay Mehrotra, and Jack Yuan, the company revolutionized how data is stored in portable devices. The Cruzer Blade series shown in the image is one of their most popular entry-level storage products, known for its compact, capless design.

While the brand originated in the United States, its manufacturing operations are global, primarily centered in China and Malaysia to leverage efficient supply chains. In 2016, Western Digital acquired SanDisk for approximately $19 billion, integrating SanDisk's flash memory expertise with Western Digital's hard drive dominance. Today, SanDisk operates as a major brand under the Western Digital umbrella, maintaining its status as a leader in SD cards, USB drives, and SSDs.