22 Failed Predictions and What To Learn From Them
Below is a list of predictions made by the so called “experts” who at the time thought they were right. Oh boy were they wrong.
Hindsight is 20/20 I know but these people thought things were impossible. Even the experts are wrong too. People who’s opinion you value can be wrong too. They may think you’re flat out crazy with your idea.
What’s the lesson from this? Don’t believe things are impossible. Remember can’t is the cancer of happen. When it’s something you’re passionate about, listen to your gut and just go with it.
Thank goodness in these 22 examples no one listened to them.
“The concept is interesting and well-formed, but in order to earn better than a ‘C’, the idea must be feasible.” – Anonymous Yale University management professor in response to Fred Smith’s paper proposing reliable overnight delivery service. (Smith went on to found FedEx).
“Everything that can be invented has already been invented.” – Director of the U.S Patent Office, 1899.
“I think there is a world market for maybe five computers.” – IBM Chairman 1943
“Who the hell wants to hear actors talk?” – H.M. Warner, Warner Brothers, 1927
“To throw bombs from an airplane will do as much damage as throwing bags of flour. It will be my pleasure to stand on the bridge of any ship while it is attacked by airplanes.” – Newton Barker, US minister of defense (1921).
“Drill for oil? You mean drill into the ground to try and find oil? You’re crazy.” – Associates of Edwin L. Drake refusing his suggestion to drill for oil in 1859.
“Taking the best left-handed pitcher in baseball and converting him into a right fielder is one of the dumbest things I ever heard.” – Tris Speaker, baseball hall of famer, talking about Babe Ruth, 1919.
“A rocket will never be able to leave the Earth’s atmosphere.” – New York Times, 1936.
“Rail travel at high speed is not possible because passengers, unable to breathe, would die of asphyxia.” – Dr Dionysys Larder (1793-1859)
“With over fifteen types of foreign cars already on sale here, the Japanese auto industry isn’t likely to carve out a big share of the market for itself.” – Business Week, August 2, 1968.
“Heavier-than-air flying machines are impossible.” – Lord Kelvin, British mathematician and physicist, president of the British Royal Society, 1895.
“There will never be a bigger plane built.” – A Boeing engineer, after the first flight of the 247, a twin engine plane that holds ten people.
“There is no reason anyone would want a computer in their home.” – Ken Olson, president, chairman and founder of Digital Equipment Corp. (DEC), maker of big business mainframe computers, arguing against the PC in 1977.
“The wireless music box has no imaginable commercial value. Who would pay for a message sent to no one in particular?” – ?Associates of David Sarnoff responding to the latter’s call for investment in the radio in 1921.
“Television won’t last because people will soon get tired of staring at a plywood box every night.” – Darryl Zanuck, movie producer, 20th Century Fox, 1946.
“I must confess that my imagination refuses to see any sort of submarine doing anything but suffocating its crew and floundering at sea.” – HG Wells, British novelist, in 1901.
“The Americans have need of the telephone, but we do not. We have plenty of messenger boys.” — Sir William Preece, Chief Engineer, British Post Office, 1878.
“The horse is here to stay but the automobile is only a novelty – a fad.” – The president of the MIchigan Savings Bank advising Henry Ford’s lawyer, Horace Rackham, not to invest in the Ford Motor.
“There is no reason anyone would want a computer in their home.” – Ken Olson, founder, chairman & president of DEC, 1977.
“We will never make a 32 bit operating system” — Bill Gates
“A rocket will never be able to leave the earth’s atmosphere.” – The New York Times, 1936.
“Ours has been the first [expedition], and doubtless to be the last, to visit this profitless locality.” – Lt. Joseph Ives, after visiting the Grand Canyon in 1861.
Photo by relgar
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