- "I think there is a world market for maybe five computers." --Thomas
Watson, chairman of IBM, 1943
- "Computers in the future may weigh no more than 1.5 tons." --Popular
Mechanics, forecasting the relentless march of science, 1949
- " I have traveled the length and breadth of this country and talked
with the best people, and I can assure you that data processing is a
fad that won't last the year." --The editor in charge of business books
for prentice Hall, 1957
- "But what .....is it good for?'--Engineer at the Advanced Computing
Systems Division of IBM, 1968, commenting on the microchip
- "There is no reason anyone would want a computer in their home." --Ken
Olson, president, chairman and founder of Digital Equipment Corp., 1977
- "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
- "The wireless music box has no imaginable commercial value. Who would
pay for a message sent to nobody in particular?" --David Sarnoff's associates
in response to his urgings for investment in the radio in the 1920's
- " The concept is interesting and well-formed, but inorder to earn
better than a 'C,' the idea must be feasible."--A Yale University management
professor in response to Fred Smith's paper proposing reliable overnight
delivery service. (Smith went on to found Federal Express Corp.)
- "Heavier-than-air flying machines are impossible."--Lord Kelvin,
president, Royal Society, 1895
- "Airplanes are interesting toys but of no military value."--Marechal
Ferdinand Foch, Professor of Strategy, Ecole Superieure de Guerre
- "Everything that can be invented has been invented."--Charles H. Duell,
Commissioner, U.S. Office of Patents, 1899
- "640K ought to be enough for anybody."--Bill Gates, 1981
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