Push On

By Mark Brenneman on April 16, 2013

It amazes me the groundbreaking innovations people have written off. I found these examples on Reddit:

“Everything that can be invented has been invented." — Charles Duell, U.S. Patent Commissioner, 1899.

"This ‘telephone’ has too many shortcomings to be seriously considered as a means of communication.” — William Orton, president of Western Union, in 1876, when Alexander Graham Bell tried to sell the company his invention.

“There is no reason anyone would want a computer in their home.” — Ken Olsen, founder of Digital Equipment, in 1977.

“Who the hell wants to hear actors talk?” — Harry Warner, Warner Bros., as movies with sound made their debut in 1927.

“I think there is a world market for maybe five computers.” – Thomas Watson, chairman of IBM (1943).

“I see little commercial potential for the internet for the next 10 years.” – Bill Gates (1994)

“A rocket will never be able to leave the Earth’s atmosphere.” –The New York Times, January 13, 1920.

“The horse is here to stay, but the automobile is only a novelty – a fad” –President of the Michigan Savings Bank

Think of all the innovations that have been stifled because someone listened to a quote like this. Push on.