Top Ten Wrong Technology Predictions of All Time

By Chris Elliott

Human beings, especially leading experts, scientists, psychologists or economists have frequently provided forecasts about future from socio-economic to religious and even technological issues. However, some wrong predictions made by famous speakers were recorded for next generations to laugh at.

For example, people don’t know why Microsoft founder Bill Gates said in 1981 that no one would need more than 637kb of memory for a personal computer and 640 ought to be enough for anybody or Sir William Preece, chief engineer at the British Post Office announced in 1878 the Americans had the need of the telephone, but they didn’t because they had plenty of messenger boys.

Here are ten of wrong technology predictions of all time.

"Inventions have long since reached their limit, and I see no hope for further developments." said Roman engineer Julius Sextus Frontinus in 10 A.D

Charles Duell, commissioner for the U.S. Patent Office, said in 1899 that everything that could be invented had already been invented

Sir William Preece, chief engineer at the British Post Office, announced in 1878 that the Americans had the need of the telephone, but they didn’t because they had plenty of messenger boys

"Who the hell wants to hear actors talk?" H.M. Warner, Warner Bros., in 1927

Chairman of IBM, Thomas Watson, expressed in 1934 that he thought there was a world market for might be five computers

"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." said Darryl Zanuck, 20th Century Fox, 1946

“Television won’t last. It’s a flash in the pan.” said Mary Somerville, pioneer of radio educational broadcasts, 1948 (Illustrated image)

Founder of mainframe-producer Digital Equipment Corp., Ken Olsen, assured in 1977 there was no reason anyone would want a computer in his home

Bill Gates, Microsoft founder, said in 1981 that no one would need more than 637kb of memory for a personal computer and 640 ought to be enough for anybody

"Next Christmas the iPod will be dead, finished, gone, kaput," said Sir Alan Sugar, British entrepreneur, 2005

About the Author:
I am a web developer. I love technology and have a passion of writing articles about technology news, especially new products.

Articles Source: Top Ten Wrong Technology Predictions of All Time