Wrongly Predicted

Javed · 02-17-2010, 02:20 AM

Theoretically, television may be feasible, but I consider it an impossibility--a development which we should waste little time dreaming about.
- Lee de Forest, 1926, inventor of the cathode ray tube

I think there is a world market for maybe five computers.
- Thomas J. Watson, 1943, Chairman of the Board of IBM

It doesn't matter what he does, he will never amount to anything.
- Albert Einstein's teacher to his father, 1895

It will be years - not in my time - before a woman will become Prime Minister.
- Margaret Thatcher, 1974

This 'telephone' has too many shortcomings to be seriously considered as a means of communication. The device is inherently of no value to us.
- Western Union internal memo, 1876

We don't like their sound, and guitar music is on the way out.
- Decca Recording Co. rejecting the Beatles, 1962

Who the hell wants to hear actors talk?
- H. M. Warner, Warner Brothers, 1927

640K ought to be enough for anybody.
- Bill Gates, 1981

Louis Pasteur's theory of germs is ridiculous fiction.
- Pierre Pachet, Professor of Physiology at Toulouse, 1872

Computers in the future may weigh no more than 1.5 tons.
- Popular Mechanics, forecasting the relentless march of science, 1949

We don't need you. You haven't got through college yet.
- Hewlett-Packard's rejection of Steve Jobs, who went on to found Apple Computers

King George II said in 1773 that the American colonies had little stomach for revolution.

An official of the White Star Line, speaking of the firm's newly built flagship, the Titanic, launched in 1912, declared that the ship was unsinkable.

In 1939 The New York Times said the problem of TV was that people had to glue their eyes to a screen, and that the average American wouldn't have time for it.

An English astronomy professor said in the early 19th century that air travel at high speed would be impossible because passengers would suffocate.

Airplanes are interesting toys, but they have no military value.
- Marshal Ferdinand Foch in 1911

With over 50 foreign cars already on sale here, the Japanese auto industry isn't likely to carve out a big slice of the U.S. market.
- Business Week, 1958

Whatever happens, the U.S. Navy is not going to be caught napping.
- Frank Knox, U.S. Secretary of the Navy, on December 4, 1941

Stocks have reached what looks like a permanently high plateau.
- Irving Fisher, Professor of Economics, Yale University, October 16, 1929.

GraceKrispy · 02-17-2010, 03:17 AM

At least nothing Iʻve said to this point is nearly as wrong as some of these.... at least... I donʻt *think* so....

<--now paranoid to end up on a list like this some day

lilac_jive · 02-17-2010, 11:40 AM

I'd like to point out that the White Star guy said the Titanic was "practically" unsinkable. Or something along those lines.

happy_terd · 02-17-2010, 11:59 AM

LOL

In 1939 The New York Times said the problem of TV was that people had to glue their eyes to a screen, and that the average American wouldn't have time for it.

HarryT · 02-17-2010, 12:01 PM

If you copied all those from a web site or a book, you really should credit the source.

wayrad · 02-17-2010, 08:25 PM

Considering George II died in 1760, we probably shouldn't be too hard on him for being wrong in 1773.

happy_terd · 02-17-2010, 10:40 PM

No escuse.

02-17-2010, 02:20 AM	#1
Javed Grand Sorcerer Posts: 10,270 Karma: 1126878541 Join Date: Oct 2009 Device: Astak Pocket PRO, iPod Touch, PRS-650	Wrongly Predicted Theoretically, television may be feasible, but I consider it an impossibility--a development which we should waste little time dreaming about. - Lee de Forest, 1926, inventor of the cathode ray tube I think there is a world market for maybe five computers. - Thomas J. Watson, 1943, Chairman of the Board of IBM It doesn't matter what he does, he will never amount to anything. - Albert Einstein's teacher to his father, 1895 It will be years - not in my time - before a woman will become Prime Minister. - Margaret Thatcher, 1974 This 'telephone' has too many shortcomings to be seriously considered as a means of communication. The device is inherently of no value to us. - Western Union internal memo, 1876 We don't like their sound, and guitar music is on the way out. - Decca Recording Co. rejecting the Beatles, 1962 Who the hell wants to hear actors talk? - H. M. Warner, Warner Brothers, 1927 640K ought to be enough for anybody. - Bill Gates, 1981 Louis Pasteur's theory of germs is ridiculous fiction. - Pierre Pachet, Professor of Physiology at Toulouse, 1872 Computers in the future may weigh no more than 1.5 tons. - Popular Mechanics, forecasting the relentless march of science, 1949 We don't need you. You haven't got through college yet. - Hewlett-Packard's rejection of Steve Jobs, who went on to found Apple Computers King George II said in 1773 that the American colonies had little stomach for revolution. An official of the White Star Line, speaking of the firm's newly built flagship, the Titanic, launched in 1912, declared that the ship was unsinkable. In 1939 The New York Times said the problem of TV was that people had to glue their eyes to a screen, and that the average American wouldn't have time for it. An English astronomy professor said in the early 19th century that air travel at high speed would be impossible because passengers would suffocate. Airplanes are interesting toys, but they have no military value. - Marshal Ferdinand Foch in 1911 With over 50 foreign cars already on sale here, the Japanese auto industry isn't likely to carve out a big slice of the U.S. market. - Business Week, 1958 Whatever happens, the U.S. Navy is not going to be caught napping. - Frank Knox, U.S. Secretary of the Navy, on December 4, 1941 Stocks have reached what looks like a permanently high plateau. - Irving Fisher, Professor of Economics, Yale University, October 16, 1929.

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02-17-2010, 03:17 AM	#2
GraceKrispy It's Dr. Penguin now! Posts: 3,909 Karma: 4705733 Join Date: Jan 2009 Location: (USA) Device: iPad mini, Samsung Note 3, Sony PRS-650 (rarely used now)	At least nothing Iʻve said to this point is nearly as wrong as some of these.... at least... I donʻt think so.... <--now paranoid to end up on a list like this some day

02-17-2010, 11:40 AM	#3
lilac_jive Grand Sorcerer Posts: 5,870 Karma: 27376 Join Date: Dec 2008 Location: Pennsylvania Device: PRS-505	I'd like to point out that the White Star guy said the Titanic was "practically" unsinkable. Or something along those lines.

02-17-2010, 11:59 AM	#4
happy_terd Banned Posts: 13,045 Karma: 10105011 Join Date: Jan 2010 Location: Finally made it to Walmart. Device: PRS 420	LOL In 1939 The New York Times said the problem of TV was that people had to glue their eyes to a screen, and that the average American wouldn't have time for it.

02-17-2010, 12:01 PM	#5
HarryT eBook Enthusiast Posts: 85,544 Karma: 93383043 Join Date: Nov 2006 Location: UK Device: Kindle Oasis 2, iPad Pro 10.5", iPhone 6	If you copied all those from a web site or a book, you really should credit the source.

02-17-2010, 08:25 PM	#6
wayrad Fanatic Posts: 551 Karma: 1121392 Join Date: May 2008 Location: USA Device: HTC One M8	Considering George II died in 1760, we probably shouldn't be too hard on him for being wrong in 1773.

02-17-2010, 10:40 PM	#7
happy_terd Banned Posts: 13,045 Karma: 10105011 Join Date: Jan 2010 Location: Finally made it to Walmart. Device: PRS 420	No escuse.

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