Most Hilariously Wrong Technology Predictions of All Time
Some people have made bold predictions about the future of technology. Here are some of the failed predictions that are most shockingly bad and hilarious at the same time.
Why did he specifically choose New York and Paris? It makes sense for him to doubt that a flying machine could cross the ocean, but why pick these two specific cities as destinations?
Also, the first flying machine to cross the ocean was a hot air balloon.
I sincerely hope that people today aren't as naive and don't think that what we have now is the best we can do. There will be new things - things that will far surpass what we have today.
Orville Wright made this prediction only seven years before Charles Lindbergh's historic flight from New York to Paris in 1927.
C.T. Bridgman, President of Michigan Savings Bank, told this to Horace Rackham, who wanted to know whether to invest in Ford Motor Company.
However, Rackham's intuition was obviously better. Despite the bank's advice, he bought 50 shares of Ford stock and became one of the original stockholders, as well as the company lawyer, chairman, and more.
Reality: In 2010, there were over one billion cars in the world, compared to only about 58 million horses.
Cars are faster, and the U.S. invested in paved roads, leading to the decline of horses as basic transportation.
That was until the internet was created. Now, nobody can live without it.
Thomas Edison underestimated Nikola Tesla's genius. Today, over 90% of the world's power utilizes AC electricity.
Edison had a motive against Nikola Tesla, but fortunately, his efforts did not prevent the widespread adoption of AC power.
Thomas Edison was skeptical of alternating current (AC). However, AC power is now the standard for home and office outlets worldwide.
Just think - this kind of attitude held back our ability to understand our own bodies. We couldn't have gone on thinking that diseases came from bad air forever. Well, we could have, but it would have ultimately hurt mankind.
This gives me so much hope for any idea I've ever had shut down.
Lord Kelvin was an eminent physicist famous for:
1. Devising the absolute temperature scale, now called the 'Kelvin scale.'
2. Formulating the second law of thermodynamics.
3. Working to install telegraph cables under the Atlantic.
And now they're a primary source of transportation.
Christmas decorations, lights in particular, would horrify Mr. Henry Morton.
Marty Cooper's prediction missed the mark. Cellular phones have largely replaced local wired systems.
And now, in 2018, an estimated 4 billion people have cell phones.
Haha. Just try telling that to the Air Force.
The Newcomers
Back when Microsoft and Apple were feuding with each other.
Steve Ballmer (Microsoft CEO).
Charles H. Duell was a commissioner of the U.S. Office of Patents. I think he deserved to be fired for saying this. How could someone who works for an Office of Patents say it?
It's surprising that he would think this, considering that a phone allows you to send messages and talk to people in mere minutes, instead of relying on a postman to cross the country just to deliver a message and then return with a reply.
William Orton was the President of Western Union. He made this statement in an internal memo at Western Union.
Reality: Telephones have become indispensable in modern communication.
Reasonable for then, to be honest.
Darryl Zanuck was a Hollywood film producer for 20th Century Fox.
The article was entitled "Internet? Bah!"
Some people today still refuse to acknowledge the existence or importance of X-rays, despite their proven value.
Haha, hoax! We can even see the gun in this image!
Lee DeForest, known as the "Father of Radio," had over 180 patents. Despite his skepticism, television became a commercial success.
Andy Grove was the CEO of Intel.
If only this were actually true...
She was a pioneer of radio educational broadcasts.
Who the hell wants to see constant dialogue cards?
H.M. Warner, co-founder of Warner Brothers, said this in an era dominated by silent films.
This picture was taken somewhere in Morocco, obviously in a very poor neighborhood, but look at the satellite TV dishes - they are everywhere!
I'm glad you did, because my computational physics projects would be pretty arduous otherwise!
Bill Gates (co-founder and chairman of Microsoft)
The wireless music box refers to the radio. David Sarnoff wanted to invest in the radio, but his associates were reluctant. The quote above reflects their response.