November 2: A bicycle for our minds

Steve Jobs' thoughts on how a bicycle and a computer both amplify human abilities.

Source: Computer History Museum
Published: circa 1980

A bicycle for our minds

“I read a study that measured the efficiency of locomotion for various species on the planet by measuring the energy required to move a kilometer. The condor [a species of bird] won as it used the least energy to fly a kilometer; humans [had] a rather unimpressive showing.

But fortunately, someone was insightful enough to test a human on a bicycle, which blew the condor off the charts!

This shows that humans are tool makers that can amplify their abilities. And that’s what a computer is to me. A computer is the most remarkable tool that we’ve ever come up with, and it’s the equivalent of a bicycle for our minds.”

- Steve Jobs

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