Skip to content
quotesby

The impulses which flow in the arm nerves of a typist convey to her fingers the translated information which reaches her eye or ear, in order that the fingers may be caused to strike the proper keys. Might not these currents be intercepted, either in the original form in which information is conveyed to the brain, or in the marvelously metamorphosed form in which they then proceed to the hand?

Vannevar Bush#39

AutomationBiologyControl

About this quote

What does it mean?
Nerve signals guide fingers to type; perhaps these currents could be intercepted to control machines directly.
In plain terms
Fingers move from nerve signals; maybe we could stop these signals to move things without hands.
What can you take from it?
Human body signals could control machines directly.

Where it applies

  • robotics
  • medical tech
  • input methods

Putting it to work

  • brain computer interfaces
  • prosthetics
  • gesture control

Questions to consider

  • How do you read nerve signals?
  • What are the risks of direct control?

Another view

Intercepting nerves is invasive and currently hard to do safely.

More from Vannevar Bush

  1. All our steps in creating or absorbing material of the record proceed through one of the senses- the tactile when we touch keys, the oral when we speak or list…

    Permalink to quote #38
  2. In the outside world, all forms of intelligence, whether of sound or sight, have been reduced to the form of varying currents in an electric circuit in order t…

    Permalink to quote #40
  3. Thus science may implement the ways in which man produces, stores, and consults the record of the race. It might be striking to outline the instrumentalities o…

    Permalink to quote #37

Related quotes

  1. The Harvard Law states: Under controlled conditions of light, temperature, humidity, and nutrition, the organism will do as it damn well pleases.

    Larry WallLarry Wall quote #143
  2. Every species has come into existence coincident both in space and time with a closely allied species.

    Alfred Russel WallaceAlfred Russel Wallace quote #1
  3. If an organised body is not in the situation and circumstances best adapted to its sustenance and propagation, then, in conceiving an indefinite variety among …

    James HuttonJames Hutton quote #1