A Camel is a Horse Designed by Committee

Posted by Bob October 30, 2000In reply to A Camel is a Horse Designed by Committee posted by John on October 29, 2000

Can someone please provide me with the origin and meaning of the follow quotation: "A Camel is a Horse Designed by Committee"

Thanks

I can't speak to the origin (it's been around at least 20 years, to my memory) but I can enthusiastically sign off on the meaning: the ungainly and peculiar shape of the camel is contrasted with the sleek and speedy thoroughbred. Committees arrive (very slowly, painfully, and sporadically) at compromises. No committee ever wrote a great symphony or painted a masterpiece.