Clever People Say Dumb Things

The good news for us average people is that even the best businessmen, brightest scientists and most revered experts sometimes say things that, in retrospect, were not very clever. As Albert Einstein said: “Two things are infinite: the universe and human stupidity; and I’m not sure about the universe.”

Computers

“I think there is a world market for maybe five computers.” Thomas J. Watson Snr, IBM chairman, 1943.

“Computers in the future may weigh no more than 1.5 tons.” Popular Mechanics, 1949.

“It would appear that we have reached the limits of what is possible to achieve with computer technology, although one should be careful with such statements, as they tend to sound pretty silly in five years.” John von Neumann, computer inventor, 1949.

“The world potential market for copying machines is 5,000 at most.” IBM, to the eventual founders of Xerox, saying the photocopier had no market large enough to justify production in 1959.

“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.

“We will never make a 32 bit operating system.” Bill Gates.

Transportation

“Rail travel at high speed is not possible because passengers, unable to breathe, would die of asphyxia.” Dr Dionysys Larder (1793-1859), professor of Natural Philosophy and Astronomy, University College London.

“Heavier-than-air flying machines are impossible.” Lord Kelvin, British mathematician and physicist, president of the British Royal Society, 1895.

“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 Company in 1903.

“The Titanic is well able to withstand almost any exterior damage and could keep afloat indefinitely after being struck.” P. Franklin, vice president, International Mercantile Marine, 1912.

“Aeroplanes are interesting toys but are of no military value.” Maréchal Ferdinand Foch, 1911

“A rocket will never be able to leave the Earth’s atmosphere.” New York Times, 1936.

“There will never be a bigger plane built.” A Boeing engineer, after the first flight of the 247 in 1933, a twin-engine plane that held ten people.

Communication

“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 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.” Darryl Zanuck, movie producer, 20th Century Fox, 1946.

“There is practically no chance communications space satellites will be used to provide better telephone, telegraph, television, or radio service inside the United States.” T. Craven, FCC commissioner, in 1961 (the first commercial communications satellite went into service in 1965).

Electricity

“With regard to the electric light, much has been said for and against it, but I think I may say without contradiction that when the Paris Exhibition closes, electric light will close with it, and no more will be heard of it.” Erasmus Wilson, Oxford University professor, 1878.

“There is not the slightest indication that nuclear energy will ever be obtainable. It would mean that the atom would have to be shattered at will.” Albert Einstein, 1932.