The phrase "bicycle for the mind"

[Pluvious]

The phrase "bicycle for the mind" is one of the most famous metaphors in the history of computing, coined by Steve Jobs.

It originated from an interview (and later a famous advertisement) where Jobs referenced a study conducted by Scientific American in the early 1970s. The study measured the "efficiency of locomotion" for various species—essentially, how much energy it takes to move a certain distance.

Here is the breakdown of the philosophy:

The Problem: In the study, humans ranked rather unimpressively. We were far less efficient than a horse, and the condor won the contest easily. Biologically, we aren't the most efficient movers.

The Twist: However, someone at Scientific American had the insight to test a human riding a bicycle. The efficiency skyrocketed, blowing the condor (and every other species) away.

The Metaphor: Jobs used this to explain what a computer is. Just as a bicycle is a tool that amplifies our inherent physical ability to move, a computer is a tool that amplifies our inherent intellectual ability to think. It doesn't do the thinking for us; it allows us to take our existing intellect and extend its reach far beyond our biological limits.