What do you know about. . .
The Post Quiz: Failed Predictions
At New Year's, all sorts of people put on their prognosticators' hats. Like most famous psychics, these prognosticators hope that we will only remember what they said when they were right – but in these skeptical days of the World Wide Web, they are doomed to disappointment. See if you can remember who said what.
Match the lousy prediction with the lousy predictor.
| Prediction | Predictor |
- It will be years – not in my time – before a woman will become Prime Minister.
- I think there is a world market for maybe five computers.
- A rocket will never be able to leave the Earth’s atmosphere.
- Heavier-than-air flying machines are impossible.
- The Americans have need of the telephone, but we do not. We have plenty of messenger boys.
- Who the hell wants to hear actors talk?
- There is not the slightest indication that nuclear energy will ever be obtainable. It would mean that the atom would have to be shattered at will.
- The bomb will never go off. I speak as an expert in explosives.
- Guitar music is on the way out.
- I see no good reasons why the views given in this volume should shock the religious sensibilities of anyone.
| - Lord Kelvin.
- Albert Einstein.
- Thomas Watson, Chairman of IBM.
- Charles Darwin.
- The British Post Office.
- New York Times.
- Margaret Thatcher.
- Decca Records.
- Admiral Leahy.
- HM Warner.
|
Look into the crystal ball for the answers.
Post Quiz and Oddities ArchiveDmitri Gheorgheni
31.12.12 Front Page
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