Quote Investigator traces the earlier documented version to test pilot Albert Scott Crossfield in a 1954 newspaper report. The displayed wording is a later streamlined variant, not a verified Clarke quotation.
“Where else can you find a non-linear servo-mechanism weighing only 150 pounds that can be mass-produced by unskilled labor?” — A streamlined variant of Albert Scott Crossfield’s reported 1954 remark; not his exact documented question.
⚠ The slide-ready mistake: crediting this to Arthur C. Clarke. Use the credit shown above instead.
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In context
Evoking the world of Albert Scott Crossfield — American test pilot. Theme: "Where else can you find a non-linear servo-mechanism weighing only 150 pounds that can be mass-produced by unskilled labor?". Atmospheric and restrained, cinematic directional light, a muted period-appropriate palette, fine grain and texture. Compose with generous empty space for the quote and a small credit line. No lettering in the image itself.
Minimalist
Minimalist editorial slide for the quote "Where else can you find a non-linear servo-mechanism weighing only 150 pounds that can be mass-produced by unskilled labor?". Clean background, a single muted accent color, generous negative space, subtle paper or linen texture, no literal illustration — let the words carry it. Reserve clear space for a serif quote and a small credit line. No lettering in the image itself.
Provenance
The source
Source
“Test Pilot Faces Robot Challenge,” reported remark
Evidence
Checked secondary citation; primary artifact not independently inspected
Documented date
1954
Where can you find another non-linear servo-mechanism weighing only 150 pounds
The documented newspaper report dates from 1954. Only a short identifying fragment is reproduced for comparison; the later popular wording has not been separately cleared.
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Fact-check
Often misattributed
The history predates the Clarke attribution. Crossfield’s reported question includes additional wording and is not identical to the popular sentence.
✕
Popular creditArthur C. Clarke
The popular credit needs the qualification explained above. Checked evidence ↗
✓Use the documented source wording and retain the attribution qualification. Checked evidence ↗
Explore
Filed under
More provenance-checked quotes on the same theme, each with its reuse status.
Albert Scott Crossfield was an American test pilot. His work made the argument over replacing human pilots with machines a practical question rather than just a science-fiction theme.
For writers & researchers
Cite this
The primary source (Chicago)
Brady, Thomas F. “Test Pilot Faces Robot Challenge.” New York Times, May 6, 1954. As transcribed by Quote Investigator, February 1, 2016.
This verification page
Quotle.info. “Who really said ‘Where else can you find a non-linear servo-mechanism weighing only 150 pounds that can be mass-produced by unskilled labor?’?” Last verified 9 Nov 2026. https://quotle.info/who-said/where-else-can-you-find-a-non-linear-servo-mechanism/