What is the origin of K = 1024?
Problem
Why does the discrepancy in the number of bytes in a kilobyte exist? In some places I've seen the number 1024 (210) while in others it's 1000 (and the difference gets increasingly large with M, G, T, etc.). This is not a discussion about whether it should be 1024 or 1000 (though you can discuss it in the comments) but about where/when this situation originated and/or became widespread. As far as I know, Linux and hardware manufacturers never use the 1024 variant. That, and hearsay, make me think MS-DOS made this version common, but what are the facts?
Unverified for your environment
Select your OS to check compatibility.
1 Fix
Fix for: What is the origin of K = 1024?
It goes back quite some time, and is detailed here. It looks like you can blame IBM, if anybody. Having thought about it some more, I would blame the Americans as a whole, for their blatant disregard for the Système international d'unités :P
Awaiting Verification
Be the first to verify this fix
Sign in to verify this fix