Physically a dinosaur's brain may show as much intensity of energy-exchange as a man's, but it can do infinitely fewer things, because as a force of detent it can only unlock the dinosaur's muscles, while the man's brain, by unlocking far feebler muscles, indirectly can by their means issue proclamations, write books, describe Chartres Cathedral, etc.
"The Letters of William James, Vol. II"
William James
An apparatus has recently been applied to watches, by which the hand which indicates seconds leaves a small dot of ink on the dial-plate whenever a certain stop or detent is pushed in.
"On the Economy of Machinery and Manufactures"
Charles Babbage
The depth of feed is regulated by a patent detent lever which engages with the teeth of a ratchet wheel, till released therefrom by contact with the adjustable stop.
"Modern Machine-Shop Practice, Volumes I and II"
Joshua Rose