Not So Famous Words of Wisdom

1. "Computers in the future may weigh no more than 1.5 tons." --- Popular Mechanics, 1949

2. "I think there is a world market for maybe five computers." --- Thomas Watson, Chairman of IBM, 1943

3. "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 out the year." --- The editor in charge of business books for Prentice Hall, 1957

4. "But what... is it good for?" --- Engineer at the Advanced Computing Systems Division of IBM, 1968, commenting on the microchip

5. "There is no reason anyone would want a computer in their home." --- Ken Olson, president, chairman, and founder of Digital Equipment Corporation, 1977

6. "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

7. "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 1920s

8. "The concept is interesting and well-formed, but in order 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 Fed Ex)

9. "I'm just glad it'll be Clark Gable who's falling on his face not Gary Cooper." --- Gary Cooper on his decision not to take the leading role in Gone With The Wind

10. "Who wants to hear actors talk?" --- H.M. Warner, Warner Brothers, 1927

11. "A cookie store is a bad idea. Besides, the market research reports say America likes crispy cookies, not soft and chewy cookies like you make." --- Response to Debbie Fields' idea of starting Mrs. Fields' Cookies

12. "We don't like their sound, and guitar music is on the way out." ---Decca Recording Co. rejecting the Beatles, 1962

13. "Everything that can be invented has been invented." --- Charles H. Duell, Commissioner, U.S. Office of Patents, 1899

14. "640 K ought to be enough for anybody." --- Bill Gates, 1981