Tuesday, August 5, 2008

Failed Prediction - Telephone Is A Fad!

Imagine the thrill of being involved with a new invention as powerful and influential to society as the telephone! Imagine the affects that such a discovery would have on society! The question is, would you realize the power of that invention at the time it was introduced?

The telephone had its barrage of individuals that said the phone is simply a fad. Take a look at some of these quotes:

This 'telephone' has too many shortcomings to be seriously considered as a means of communication. The device is inherently of no value to us. - A memo at Western Union, 1878 (or 1876).

The Americans have need of the telephone, but we do not. We have plenty of messenger boys. - Sir William Preece, Chief Engineer, British Post Office, 1878.

It's a great invention but who would want to use it anyway? - Rutherford B. Hayes, U.S. President, after a demonstration of Alexander Bell's telephone, 1876.

A man has been arrested in New York for attempting to extort funds from ignorant and superstitious people by exhibiting a device which he says will convey the human voice any distance over metallic wires so that it will be heard by the listener at the other end. He calls this instrument a telephone. Well-informed people know that it is impossible to transmit the human voice over wires. - News item in a New York newspaper, 1868.

It appears that there were many who were opposed to the telephone being introduced, or those who thought it would not be useful. After all, with the telegraph and messengers, who needs advanced communication capabilities? Were people able to adapt as well in the late 1800's as we are capable of today?

Lucky for us, our great grandparents and grandparents were willing to adapt telephones to their daily lives. Where would we be without them? Do you think we would be as technologically advanced without telephone technology and the innovation it has spawned? Myself, I don't think so, but am interested in your comments. Please feel free to present your opinion!

Quotes from http://www.boingboing.net/2007/10/27/failed-futuristic-pr.html

1 comment:

wincoder said...

Ignorance and fear make people say some interesting things.

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Nigel