Top 30 Failed Technology Predictions

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Anach
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Top 30 Failed Technology Predictions

Unread post by Anach » Sat Nov 03, 2007 2:48 am

http://listverse.com/history/top-30-fai ... edictions/

Throughout history man has been making predictions of the future. With the advent of technology, the predictions moved away from religious topics to scientific and technological. Unfortunately for the speakers, many of these failed predictions have been recorded for all future generations to laugh at. Here is a selection of the 30 best.


1. “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.

2. “We will never make a 32 bit operating system.” — Bill Gates
Use of undefined constants causes assumptions!

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Unread post by Toucan » Sat Nov 03, 2007 6:41 pm

hehe, my favourite....

28. “Dear Mr. President: The canal system of this country is being threatened by a new form of transportation known as ‘railroads’ … As you may well know, Mr. President, ‘railroad’ carriages are pulled at the enormous speed of 15 miles per hour by ‘engines’ which, in addition to endangering life and limb of passengers, roar and snort their way through the countryside, setting fire to crops, scaring the livestock and frightening women and children. The Almighty certainly never intended that people should travel at such breakneck speed.” — Martin Van Buren, Governor of New York, 1830(?).

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Unread post by gelfling » Sat Nov 03, 2007 8:37 pm

That's a fun and interesting list :)
20. “X-rays will prove to be a hoax.” — Lord Kelvin, President of the Royal Society, 1883.


made me smile :)
"Let your love flow outward through the universe,
To its height, its depth, its broad extent,
A limitless love, without hatred or enmity."

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