http://img81.imageshack.us/img81/2316/usbcordbd2.jpg

It's a standard 4 pin usb cord, I cut the square end off and stripped the wires. What is the messy silver wire and foil stuff for? If I were to just connect the corresponding coloured wires to a second stripped cord (to turn a male/female into a male/male) would it work like normal, or does it need that silver stuff?

Insulation?

Maybe something to stop EMP/static from damaging the memory?

Ah yes, good point, it was a cord from a wireless modem, so EM insulation would make sense.

Literally every USB cord has that. It's to add bulk to the cord and to make it harder to break the wires because the wires are so thin. It's not necessary for the operation of the USB cord, but does add strength to it.

That foil stuff is shielding. It's connected to ground, and minimises EM noise affecting the signal.

And yeah, that cord is called a ripcord and it makes it harder to stretch the cable and damage the ends.

Haha it was just a guess :)

HAH ripcord

Shielding.

^This.

And the size of the lol ripcord might vary depending on the cable size.

It's shielding for grounding and RF interference reduction.

Sheath.

Silver contraband, that's how they do it.

shield