Popular Mechanics, forecasting the relentless march of science, 1949 Computers in the future may weigh no more than 1.5 tons.

Thomas Watson, chairman of IBM, 1943 I think there is a world market for maybe five computers.

Editor in charge of business books for Prentice Hall, 1957 I have traveled the length and breadth of this country and walked with the best people, and I can assure you that data processing is a fad that won't last out the year.

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

Western Union internal memo, 1876 This 'telephone' has too many shortcomings to be seriously considered as a means of communication. The device is inherently of no value to us.

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

Lord Kelvin, president, Royal Society, 1895 Heavier-than-air flying machines are impossible.

Drillers who Edwin L. Drake tried to enlist to his project to drill for oil, 1859 Drill for oil? You mean drill into the ground to try and find oil? You're crazy.

Irving Fisher, Professor of Economics, Yale University, 1929 Stocks have reached what looks like a permanently high plateau.

Marechal Ferdinand Foch, Professor of Economics, Yale University, 1929 Airplanes are interesting toys but of no military value.

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

Pierre Pachet, Professor of Physiology at Toulouse, 1872 Louis Pasteur's theory of germs is ridiculous fiction

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