---
title: "Meaning & Key Takeaway of: #3 pencils and quadrille pads.(when asked…"
description: "\"#3 pencils and quadrille pads.(when asked what CAD tools he used to design the Cray I supercomputer )\" — Seymour Cray"
image: "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/5d3/seymour-cray-35931_cad_3-pencils-and-quadrille-pads-when-asked_2952882.png"
---

#  #3 pencils and quadrille pads.(when asked what CAD tools…

![“#3 pencils and quadrille pads.(when asked what CAD tools he used to design the Cray I supercomputer )” quote by Seymour Cray](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/5d3/seymour-cray-35931_cad_3-pencils-and-quadrille-pads-when-asked_2952882.png)   [Download](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/5d3/seymour-cray-35931_cad_3-pencils-and-quadrille-pads-when-asked_2952882.png) [Open image](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/5d3/seymour-cray-35931_cad_3-pencils-and-quadrille-pads-when-asked_2952882.png)

> “#3 pencils and quadrille pads.(when asked what CAD tools he used to design the Cray I supercomputer )”

[Seymour Cray](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/seymour-cray/)

## About This Quote

This interpretation was drafted with AI assistance. It is one reading of the quote, not the author's own explanation.

The comment humorously notes the use of simple tools for designing a complex supercomputer.

**In simple terms:** Simple tools used for complex design.

Key Takeaway

Even advanced projects start with basics.

Themes

technology humor design

Mood

lighthearted reflective

Type

anecdote insight

When to use this quote

- computer design
- tool selection
- innovation

Key Concepts

engineering history

Questions to Reflect On

- Why choose simple tools for complex tasks?
- What does this say about creativity?

A Different Perspective

May downplay technical challenges.

★ ★ ★ ★ ★   No ratings yet

[Asked Cad](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/asked-cad-4459384/) [Cad](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/cad/) [Cad Tools](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/cad-tools-4459382/) [Design](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/design/) [Design Cray](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/design-cray-2571303/) [Humorous](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/humorous/) [Pads](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/pads/) [Pencils](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/pencils/) [Pencils Quadrille](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/pencils-quadrille-4459383/) [Supercomputer](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/supercomputer-822383/) [Supercomputers](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/supercomputers/) [Tools](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/tools/) [Used](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/used/) [Witty](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/witty/)

## Related quotes

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> [I would think that would be really liberating to play like a real cad or a villain or something like that, and that's something…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/luke-wilson/i-would-think-that-would-be-really-liberating-to-play-like-a-real-cad/)

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> [How DARE the villainous cads be as clever as the heroes.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/mercedes-lackey/how-dare-the-villainous-cads-be-as-clever-as-the-heroes/)

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## More by Seymour Cray

> [If you were plowing a field, which would you rather use? Two strong oxen or 1024 chickens?](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/seymour-cray/if-you-were-plowing-a-field-which-would-you-rather-use-two-strong/)

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> [#3 pencils and quadrille pads.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/seymour-cray/3-pencils-and-quadrille-pads/)

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