1. "640K ought to be enough for anybody." -- Bill Gates, 1981

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

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

4. "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." --The editor in charge of business books for
Prentice Hall, 1957

5. "But what ... is it good for?" --Engineer at the Advanced Computing
Systems Division of IBM, 1968, commenting on the microchip.

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

7. "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.

8. "The wireless music box has no imaginable commercial value. Who would pay
for a message sent to nobody in particular?" --David Sarnoff's associates
in response to his urgings for investment in the radio in the 1920s.

9. "The concept is interesting and well-formed, but in order to earn better
than a 'C,' the idea must be feasible." --A Yale University management
professor in response to Fred Smith's paper proposing reliable overnight
delivery service. (Smith went on to found Federal Express Corp.)

10. "Who the hell wants to hear actors talk?" --H.M. Warner, Warner Brothers,1927.

11. "I'm just glad it'll be Clark Gable who's falling on his face and not Gary
Cooper." --Gary Cooper on his decision not to take the leading role in
"Gone With The Wind."

12. "A cookie store is a bad idea. Besides, the market research reports say
America likes crispy cookies, not soft and chewy cookies like you make."
--Response to Debbi Fields' idea of starting Mrs. Fields' Cookies.