IBM used to use hydraulics pretty extensively. Their 2311 disk drives used hydraulic actuators to move the heads in and out over the platters. Hot pressurized oil and spinning magnetic media - a combination not made in heaven. I seem to remember stories about injuries caused by hydraulic oil piercing engineer body parts.
Thankfully they were phasing out as I started. Though living in the colonies, we used to see machines still working that were probably nowhere to be found in the US any more.
> I seem to remember stories about injuries caused by hydraulic oil piercing engineer body parts.
Hydraulic fluid injection injuries are appalling, and can often require amputation. I recall assisting a guy who had split a main line on a bobcat, and had oil spray into his hand. He lost most of his fingers.
My first modem is 28.8k, I guess you can call me young'un...