The 1969 Whole Earth Catalog review that coined computing's 'funky hands' line
Merzmensch · x · 2026-10-25
Merzmensch shares the 1969 Whole Earth Catalog review of Cybernetic Serendipity, the ICA London computer-art exhibition turned book and Studio International special issue — arguably the first real collection of computer art. The review coined the oft-quoted line "Not until computers got common enough for funky hands to lay hold of them to do tricks for funky heads," declaring "Ahead, deep space." The Fall 1969 catalog is freely streamable on the Internet Archive.
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