Archimedean Lever

Archimedes captured the power of leverage: “Give me a lever long enough and a fulcrum on which to place it, and I shall move the world.” A physical lever requires three elements: a lever arm, a fulcrum (the pivot), and effort applied to move a load. Tools like gardening pliers work by multiplying the applied effort exerted by hands on the pliers’ handles. With leverage, one can multiply the impact of effort to achieve a desired outcome. As a mental model, the lever reminds us to seek leverage points that will multiply our energy and effort.