15 Failed Predictions about the Future - Oddee.com
![](http://www.oddee.com/_media/imgs/oddee/top1.gif)
--Margaret Thatcher, October 26th, 1969.
![](http://208.106.250.72/_media/imgs/articles/a407_Thatcher.jpg)
“I think there is a world market for maybe five computers.”
--Thomas Watson, chairman of IBM, 1943.
![](http://208.106.250.72/_media/imgs/articles/a407_ibm.jpg)
“That virus [HIV] is a pussycat.”
--Dr. Peter Duesberg, molecular-biology professor at U.C. Berkeley, 1988,
![](http://208.106.250.72/_media/imgs/articles/a407_hiv.jpg)
"Drill for oil? You mean drill into the ground to try and find oil? You're crazy."
--Associates of Edwin L. Drake refusing his suggestion to drill for oil in 1859.
![](http://208.106.250.72/_media/imgs/articles/a407_oil.jpg)
“A rocket will never be able to leave the Earth’s atmosphere.”
--New York Times, 1936.
![](http://208.106.250.72/_media/imgs/articles/a407_rocket.jpg)
NOTE: according to our readers "the first rocket to leave the Earth's atmosphere was actually the German V2."
"Reagan doesn’t have that presidential look."
--United Artists Executive, rejecting Reagan as lead in 1964 film The Best Man
![](http://208.106.250.72/_media/imgs/articles/a407_reagan.jpg)
"The singer [Mick Jagger] will have to go; the BBC won’t like him."
--- First Rolling Stones manager Eric Easton to his partner after watching them perform.
![](http://208.106.250.72/_media/imgs/articles/a407_jagger.jpg)
“Rail travel at high speed is not possible because passengers, unable to breathe, would die of asphyxia.”
--Dr Dionysys Larder (1793-1859)
![](http://208.106.250.72/_media/imgs/articles/a407_eurostar.jpg)
“Heavier-than-air flying machines are impossible.”
--Lord Kelvin, 1895.
![](http://208.106.250.72/_media/imgs/articles/a407_airplane.jpg)
"There will never be a bigger plane built."
--A Boeing engineer, after the first flight of the 247, a twin engine plane that holds ten people.
![](http://208.106.250.72/_media/imgs/articles/a407_airbus.jpg)
"Taking the best left-handed pitcher in baseball and converting him into a right fielder is one of the dumbest things I ever heard."
-- Tris Speaker, baseball hall of famer, talking about Babe Ruth, 1919.
![](http://208.106.250.72/_media/imgs/articles/a407_babe.jpg)
"Ours has been the first [expedition], and doubtless to be the last, to visit this profitless locality."
---- Lt. Joseph Ives, after visiting the Grand Canyon in 1861.
![](http://208.106.250.72/_media/imgs/articles/a407_canyon.jpg)
"If excessive smoking actually plays a role in the production of lung cancer, it seems to be a minor one."
--W.C. Heuper, National Cancer Institute, 1954.
![](http://208.106.250.72/_media/imgs/articles/a407_cancer.jpg)
"You better get secretarial work or get married."
--Emmeline Snively, advising would-be model Marilyn Monroe in 1944.
![](http://208.106.250.72/_media/imgs/articles/a407_marilyn.jpg)
"Read my lips: No new taxes."
--George Bush, 1988.
![](http://208.106.250.72/_media/imgs/articles/a407_bush.jpg)