My Discovery Top 5 Predictions

1.  “I see no good reasons why the views given in this volume should shock the religious sensibilities of anyone.” – Charles Darwin, writing in the foreword to On the Origin of Species, 1859

- This quote was especially interesting because regardless of your view on the issue, Darwin’s publishing became controversial for many religions and creationist doctrine.  Although there have been attempts to combine the two theories, there still remains a heavy debate and “shock” factor for many religions.  This has left a division in society that calls for some push for unity. 

2.  “The Beatles have no future in show business.” – A Decca Records Executive, 1962

- This quote is inspiring because this shows all of us that success is not always an overnight phenomenon.  Many of the greatest performers, athletes, and businessman who have ever lived at one point, have been told it was impossible or have failed.  This is what makes the pursuit of greatness all the more fulfilling in my opinion. 

3.  “There’s no chance that the iPhone is going to get any significant market share. No chance.” – Microsoft CEO Steve Ballmer, 2007.

- I chose this quote because of how entertaining it was to think about the amount of people I know that DO NOT own an iPhone. It seems as if everyone currently, or at one point, has owned an iPhone, so I tend to think that Ballmer was speaking from a marketing point of view in order to suppress public craze for the ensuing product. 

4.  “The idea that cavalry will be replaced by these iron coaches is absurd.  It is little short of treasonous.” – aide-de-camp to Field Marshal Haig, 1916

- This quote that was noted at a tank demonstration was very intriguing because logically, it seems “absurd” to think that tanks wouldn’t replace cavalry.  Some people become very accustomed to certain aspects of society, and are often resistant to change.  This quote shows that people’s accepted notions can blind even the most obvious of things.

5.  “The World potential market for copying machines is 5000 at most.” –IBM, to the eventual founders of Xerox, saying the photocopier had no market large enough to justify production, 1959

- Sometimes when entrepreneurs start out, big name investors and businesses will make wrong predictions about a specific product.  This is not to say that all innovations have unlimited potential, but sometimes, the sky is the limit.