Rod memory is one of the many variations on magnetic core memory that attempts to lower costs by automating its manufacturing. It was introduced by NCR in 1964 as part of the NCR 315 RMC computer, RMC for "rod memory computer". It was also used in their Century line.
Like many similar concepts, notably twistor memory and thin film memory, rod memory was competing for the role of taking over from core when the first semiconductor memory systems wiped out the entire market in 1970.