TOP 5 Predictions

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

- I picked this quote because I personally rely on the telephone as virtually my only form of communication, so it was interesting to see such a resolute statement even after its conception.  

2.  "Rail travel at high speed is not possible because passengers, unable to breathe, would die of asphyxia." -Dr Dionysius Lardner, 1830

- I picked this quote because living in northern California would be much different if the Bay Area Rapid Transit was not in service.  High speed rail travel makes it possible to commute at a very low cost and it is interesting to see a published doctor refute its feasibility.  

3. "X-rays will prove to be a hoax." -Lord Kelvin, President of the Royal Society, 1883

- This quote was especially interesting because x-rays are now considered one of the easiest modes for detecting skeletal damage.  This speaks volumes about how one of the most respected people in society at a given time, could be so wrong about a breakthrough such as x-rays.  This also illuminates the fact that those in power can significantly shape public perception. 

4.  “Television won’t last because people will soon get tired of staring at a plywood box every night.” –Darryl Zanuck, movie producer, 20^th Century Fox, 1946

- My response to this quote was unique because it was a thought that I still entertain.  Will television eventually become “old news”? I find myself watching less television then in the past, and although this does not hold true for all, I believe Zanuck’s claim could actually prove to be true in years to come.

5.  “No one will pay good money to get from Berlin to Potsdam in one hour when he can ride his horse there in one day for free.” –King William I of Prussia, on trains, 1864

- This was possibly my favorite quote of the 5, because it illuminates the current state of our capitalist culture.  The economic and social speed that is required to keep up in this day and age is far greater than in previous centuries.  Many people will now pay hundreds of dollars to expedite travel, and this is very interesting to see how societal mentality changes over time.