Failed Innovation Predictions
At this time of year more than at any other, the soothsayers come out of the woodwork to predict what’s going to happen in the near future with innovations that could revolutionize our lives.
Sticking your neck out like this is a bit of a gamble and the province of the brave, foolish or supremely confident. History is littered with dozens of examples of people who’ve had to eat their words.
Of course hindsight is a wonderful thing, but even so, for a bit of fun we thought we’d publish some memorable quotes from those who got it oh so wrong.
“Heavier-than-air flying machines are impossible.” (1895) – Lord Kelvin, mathematician and physicist, president of the British Royal Society.
“Television won’t last. It’s a flash in the pan.” (1948) – Mary Somerville, science writer and polymath.
“Television won’t be able to hold on to any market it captures after the first six months. People will soon get tired of staring at a plywood box every night.” (1946) – Darryl F. Zanuck, movie producer and studio executive.
“When the Paris Exhibition (held in 1878) closes, electric light will close with it and no more will be heard of it.” Erasmus Wilson, surgeon and dermatologist.
“How, sir, would you make a ship sail against the wind and currents by lighting a bonfire under her deck? I pray you, excuse me, I have not the time to listen to such nonsense.” – Napoleon Bonaparte, on hearing about Robert Fulton’s steamboat.
“The Americans have need of the telephone, but we do not. We have plenty of messenger boys.” (1878) — Sir William Preece, Chief Engineer, British Post Office.
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