Bad Predictions about the Future
«Everything that can be invented has been invented.»
Charles H. Duell, an official at the US patent office, 1899.
«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.
«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(?).
«If anything remains more or less unchanged, it will be the role of women.»
David Riesman, conservative American social scientist, 1967.
Mehr falsche und teilweise auch visionäre Vorhersagen (in verschiedenen Kategorien) kann man hier lesen. Spannend.