J.C.R. Licklider, a psychologist and visionary technologist, played a crucial but often overlooked role in shaping today’s digital world. As ARPA’s first Information Processing Techniques Office director, he funded research that led to the ARPANET. In his 1960 paper Man-Computer Symbiosis, he imagined a future where humans and machines collaborate, not compete. Licklider’s work emphasized enduring, thoughtful design over hype. His vision remains a guide for building meaningful, human-centered technology.