Lighter side of computers 1

Predictions \| Jokes \|Stories \| Puzzles
The electronic communication revolution is now a matter of course and nobody can deny its far fetching effects on our lives. But, as with many other such consequential events, it was difficult to assess its importance when it was just beginning. The recent history of mankind is full of wrong predictions, especially on the part of the so-called experts. Here are a few examples.
This “telephone” has too many imperfections to be taken into serious consideration as a means of communication. This machine has no value for us.	Company memo of the Western Union, 1876
Who on earth would ever want to hear actors talk?	H.M. Warner, of the Warner Bros., 1927
I believe that there is a market for perhaps five computers in the entire world.	Thomas Watson, President of IBM, 1943
In the future computers will weigh no more than 1.5 tons.	Popular Mechanics Magazine, Predicting the incessant progress of science, 1949
I have travelled everywhere across this country and spoke to the most eminent people; I can tell you for sure that data processing is a fad that won’t last till next year.	The Prentice Hall general editor, 1957
But… what is it good for?	An engineer of the Advanced Computing Systems division of IBM, talking of Microchips, 1958
There is no reason why anyone should want to have a computer in his own home.	Ken Olson, president and founder of Digital Equipment Corp., 1977