Failed predictions of the future of technology
 

Cold fusion anyone? :yeah:


30 Failed Predictions About Future of Technology

http://www.ixibo.com/2009/03/30-fail...of-technology/

19. Nuclear Energy will not be Obtainable

In 1932, Albert Einstein stated that

“There is not the slightest indication that nuclear energy will ever be obtainable. It would mean that the atom would have to be shattered at will”.

Oh how this sounds familiar:


27. Music Recording will Kill Music

In 1980, a campaign was started by BPI claiming that people recording music off the radio onto cassette would destroy the music industry. The slogan for the campaign was set as

“Home Taping Is Killing Music”.

Even tho there is renewed interest in cold fusion?

Cold fusion failed initially because the big dogs were desperate for the media blitz surrounding it and gave absolutely NO time to polish and give better demonstrations. Cold fusion research sould have continued but the nutjob kneejeck reaction in part of the community ruined any chance of that until a few years ago.

The only failed prediction is that we would be a spacefaring society by the 2000s. This only happened because we were content with stagnating the development of new energy sources.

Why would anyone want a nuclear-powered vacuum cleaner?

I likw #8 with AC. That was Tesla wasn't it?

Yes in Buffalo NY I think. He wanted to make electricty from Niagira falls but DC didn't travel well over long distances.

At the time matters such as voltage drop, phase angles, and power factors were not understood. Fortunatly they made the right decision.

Alternating current is much more dangerous as a shock hazard but the benifits outweigh the risk as history has proven.