Forums > Social Chat > Famously Poor Predictions
Login/Join to ParticipateDiamond In The Rough
459 posts
Location: Richmond, Virginia
459 posts
Location: Richmond, Virginia
Posted:
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
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.
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
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.
Dance like it hurts; Love like you need money; Work like someone is watching.
Never criticize someone until you've walked a mile in their shoes. That way, when you DO criticize them, you are a mile away, and you have their shoes.
GOLD Member
playing the days away
7,263 posts
Location: The Middle lands, United Kingdom
playing the days away
7,263 posts
Location: The Middle lands, United Kingdom
Posted:
Guess they weren't all poor predictions
"Computers in the future may weigh no more than 1.5 tons.
- Popular Mechanics, forecasting the relentless march of science, 1949"
Guess they weren't all poor predictions
"Computers in the future may weigh no more than 1.5 tons.
- Popular Mechanics, forecasting the relentless march of science, 1949"
Let's relight this forum 
Carpal \'Tunnel
7,193 posts
Location: in the trees
7,193 posts
Location: in the trees
Posted:
hmmmmm i suddenly am thinking about a certain weather forcaster famously saying " there is no hurrican going to hit the british shores"
i'm not too sure of the date but it was micheal fish on the bbc
hmmmmm i suddenly am thinking about a certain weather forcaster famously saying " there is no hurrican going to hit the british shores"
i'm not too sure of the date but it was micheal fish on the bbc
SILVER Member
The official Emma Peel wannabe
226 posts
Location: Colchester, England (UK)
The official Emma Peel wannabe
226 posts
Location: Colchester, England (UK)
Posted:
I'm pretty sure that was Michael Fish in maybe 1987???
I think the piccies of (errrr...Neville Chamberlin) securing Peace in our Time after signing the Munich agreement with Hitler...ooops! (i'm sure peeps will correct me on this).
But haven't we all done this...I mean tempt fate not sign peace deals with Hitler. Like not taking a brolly out and then totally regretting it, or leaving your poi at home and bumping into a spinner!
I'm pretty sure that was Michael Fish in maybe 1987???
I think the piccies of (errrr...Neville Chamberlin) securing Peace in our Time after signing the Munich agreement with Hitler...ooops! (i'm sure peeps will correct me on this).
But haven't we all done this...I mean tempt fate not sign peace deals with Hitler. Like not taking a brolly out and then totally regretting it, or leaving your poi at home and bumping into a spinner!
"Always keep your bowler on in times of stress and watch out for diabolical masterminds" - Emma Peel
SILVER Member
Has sharp edges
1,266 posts
Location: Stuck in the mire, USA
Has sharp edges
1,266 posts
Location: Stuck in the mire, USA
Posted:
something tells me Decca Recording Co. is kicking themselves for that one ......I wonder how many people lost thier jobs for that little mistake
something tells me Decca Recording Co. is kicking themselves for that one ......I wonder how many people lost thier jobs for that little mistake My ADD makes it so that.....Ooooo SHINY.....wanna go ride bikes....wait....where am I.....
Carpal \'Tunnel
7,193 posts
Location: in the trees
7,193 posts
Location: in the trees
Posted:
1986 chernobyl, russia
the russian government "there is nothing to worry about, there is no risk"
yeah right
1986 chernobyl, russia
the russian government "there is nothing to worry about, there is no risk"
yeah right
GOLD Member
HOP Mad Doctor
13,925 posts
Location: San Francisco, CA, USA
HOP Mad Doctor
13,925 posts
Location: San Francisco, CA, USA
Posted:
Led Zepplin got its name because someone said that the band would go over like a lead zephlin
Led Zepplin got its name because someone said that the band would go over like a lead zephlin
-Mike
Certified Mad Doctor and HoP High Priest of Nutella
A buckuht n a hooze! -Valura
SILVER Member
Geek
1,261 posts
Location: Manchester, UK
Geek
1,261 posts
Location: Manchester, UK
Posted:
The guy who founded UPS originally wrote the idea for the company up as a thesis for college. His lecturer wrote on the paper words to the effect of "its good in theory but the idea needs to be achievable. Delivery round the world in 24 hrs is a dream".
(would provide more detail but the Jagermeister has inhibited my ability to post sense)
The guy who founded UPS originally wrote the idea for the company up as a thesis for college. His lecturer wrote on the paper words to the effect of "its good in theory but the idea needs to be achievable. Delivery round the world in 24 hrs is a dream".
(would provide more detail but the Jagermeister has inhibited my ability to post sense)
SILVER Member
coming to a country near you
4,696 posts
Location: home of the tiney toothy bear, Australia
coming to a country near you
4,696 posts
Location: home of the tiney toothy bear, Australia
Posted:
"our initial assesment is that they will all die"
-Iraqi Information Minister Mohammed Sakedal-Sahaf shortly before the second US lead invasion of Iraq.
"Iraq has gone from the third biggest army in the world to the second biggest army in Iraq"
-Some US General during the first Gulf War.
"our initial assesment is that they will all die"
-Iraqi Information Minister Mohammed Sakedal-Sahaf shortly before the second US lead invasion of Iraq.
"Iraq has gone from the third biggest army in the world to the second biggest army in Iraq"
-Some US General during the first Gulf War.
"but have you considered there is more to life than your eyelids?"
jointly owned by Fire_Spinning_Angel and Blu_Valley
enthusiast
237 posts
237 posts
Posted:
"640K ought to be enough for anybody.
- Bill Gates, 1981"
*Browses 95% full 160 Gb and 250 GB hard drives*
"640K ought to be enough for anybody.
- Bill Gates, 1981"
*Browses 95% full 160 Gb and 250 GB hard drives*
GOLD Member
the floor is a sea of tigers...
404 posts
the floor is a sea of tigers...
404 posts
Posted:
"640K ought to be enough for anybody.
- Bill Gates, 1981"
i think you forgot to add "to play minesweeper/solitare" at the end of the quote
hahaha
"640K ought to be enough for anybody.
- Bill Gates, 1981"
i think you forgot to add "to play minesweeper/solitare" at the end of the quote
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