Abstract: A damping device with a top element, a bottom element, and a viscoelastic element between the top and bottom elements. The damping device exerts significant shear displacement across the viscoelastic element upon deflecting. The damping device may have first and second ends and an intermediate portion between the first and second ends. The damping device may have a generally longitudinal extension with an elevation in the direction of the top element in the intermediate portion. The elevation may have a substantially V-shape when the damping device is unloaded. A system in accordance with the principles of the present invention including a system cabinet, a plurality of carriers mounted in the system cabinet for receiving hard disk drives, and a plurality of damping devices according to the invention mounted between the carriers and the system cabinet.