This document contains 15 quotes from prominent figures throughout history who failed to recognize the future potential of various new technologies and innovations. Some of the quotes express skepticism about the commercial viability of technologies like radio, airplanes, computers and microchips. Others dismiss ideas that later became hugely successful companies and products, such as the Beatles, Apple computers, and movies starring actors like Clark Gable. Overall, the quotes illustrate how transformative technologies are often met with disbelief or inability to foresee their impact until after they have been established.

1. Quotes To Regret
1 'I think there's a world market for maybe five PCs.'
(Thomas Watson, chairman of IBM, 1943.)
2 '640K ought to be enough for anybody.'
(Bill Gates, Microsoft, 1981.)
3 'There is no reason why anyone would want to have a computer in
their home.'
(Ken Olson, president, Founder, Digital Equipment Corp, 1977.)
4 'This 'telephone' has too many shortcomings to be considered as a
means of communication. The device is of no value to us.'
(Western Union memo, 1876)
5 'Radio has no commercial value. Who would pay for a message sent to
nobody?'
(Colleagues of David Sarnoff on his Radio project, 1920's.)
6 'Heavier than air flying machines are impossible.'
(Lord Kelvin, president, Royal Society, 1895.)
7 'You mean to drill into ground to try and find oil? You're crazy.'
(Drillers rejecting Edwin L Drake's oil project, 1859.)
8 'Who the hell wants to hear actors talk?'
(HM Warner, Warner Bros, 1927.)
9 'What can you do with a guy with ears like that?'
(Jack Warner, movie mogul, rejecting Clark Gable, 1930.)
10 'We don't like their sound, and guitar music is on the way out.'
(Decca Recording Company rejecting the Beatles, 1962.)
11 'But what is it good for?'
(An IBM Engineer commenting on the micro chip, 1968)
12 'Airplanes are interesting toys but of no military value.'
(Marechal Ferdinand, Professor of Strategy, Ecole Superieure de Guerre.)
13 'We went to Atari, they said 'No'. So we went to HP; 'We don't need
you. You haven't got through college yet'.'
(Apple founder Steve Jobs, 1980's)
14 'Fred Astaire can't act, can't sing, balding... Can dance a little.'
(MGM talent scout, 1928.)
15 'Everything that can be invented has been invented.'
(Charles H Duell, Commissioner, US Office of Patents, 1899.)