Technology misunderstandings

toybuilder · 04-29-2003, 07:36 PM

Hi gang,

I'm trying to collect examples of famous technology misunderstandings such as:

Metal airplane's can't fly.
You can't send information without wires.
Rockets can't fly into space - there's no air to push against.

Etc. etc. etc.

The best examples are the kinds of misunderstandings caused by new technology running contrary to contemporary "common sense".

Thanks!

http://www.pasadenasegway.com

The Segway is to a Moped like a Helicopter is to an Airplane.

stevew · 04-29-2003, 08:56 PM

When IBM developed the electronic computer using tubes instead of relays I think management forecast a worldwide demand of perhaps 5 or 6 machines. I think I have that one right.

JohnM · 04-29-2003, 09:45 PM

"Cars will eliminate a greater part of the nervousness, distraction, and strain of modern metropolitan life."
-- prediction, Scientific American magazine, 1899

mzokc · 04-29-2003, 09:48 PM

Media was not in favor of Disneyland after opening day:

Quote: It was called "A Hollywood Spectacular - A Spectacular Failure" and "Disney's Folly."

The whole story at: http://www.mouseplanet.com/jason/011.htm

Mark

larryKay · 04-29-2003, 10:24 PM

Not technology related. I am in the wine & liquor trade. when I first saw the Absolut bottle, I said, it won't fly, the bottle isn't too visible on the shelves.....

Larry

Deviant · 04-29-2003, 11:43 PM

A few ideas to research:

I imagine "Fire comes from the heavens, you can't make it."
The earth is flat.
The heavens revolve around the earth.
When a projectile loses energy it falls directly down.
Heavier objects fall faster than lighter ones.
Drain the poison out by draining the blood. (some good, but)
Release the evil spirits by drilling holes in the skull. (again, sometimes effective!)
A ship made of metal (material heavier than water) will sink.
Nobody needs to driver faster than xx (25mph?).
Nobody needs a computer faster than xx.
DC is safer than AC. (its the amount that hurts)
We can never have a building taller than xx, because it would collapse.
Hey, we can make water pipes using lead because its malleable!
Bees are spontaneously generated from rotting beasts.
The lifeforce of "fire" is embedded in trees. (OK - maybe it is)
You can't cook food in just a box. (solar cookers DO work)
You can't escape the gravity of the earth.
Superconductors can't exist above xx temperature (zero Kelvin?)

Surely there are tons more. I imagine this thread is relevant due to the obvious difficulty grasping why the Segway HT doesn't just fall over.

Good Luck.

jillmac · 04-30-2003, 12:15 AM

Computers will breed a paperless society! Hmmmmm.

Nothing is inexplicable, merely unexplained..... Dr. Who

clm · 04-30-2003, 01:43 AM

Here is a current one!

Myth: The Segway HT works by using its gyros to figure out how far and how fast to rotate the tires to stay underneath the rider ...

Chris

JT · 05-05-2003, 02:56 PM

Didn't Bill Gates say one like "No one will ever need more than 5 megs of hard drive space" back in the day...

Sunday · 07-03-2003, 03:30 AM

Modern appliances will simplify our hectic lives.

Sunday

04-29-2003, 07:36 PM	#1
toybuilder Member Join Date: Jan 2003 Location: Pasadena, CA, . Posts: 935	Technology misunderstandings Hi gang, I'm trying to collect examples of famous technology misunderstandings such as: Metal airplane's can't fly. You can't send information without wires. Rockets can't fly into space - there's no air to push against. Etc. etc. etc. The best examples are the kinds of misunderstandings caused by new technology running contrary to contemporary "common sense". Thanks! http://www.pasadenasegway.com The Segway is to a Moped like a Helicopter is to an Airplane.

04-29-2003, 08:56 PM	#2
stevew Member Join Date: Dec 2002 Location: Belmont, CA, USA. Posts: 586	When IBM developed the electronic computer using tubes instead of relays I think management forecast a worldwide demand of perhaps 5 or 6 machines. I think I have that one right.

04-29-2003, 09:45 PM	#3
JohnM Senior Member Join Date: Oct 2002 Location: ManchVegas, NH Posts: 2,148	"Cars will eliminate a greater part of the nervousness, distraction, and strain of modern metropolitan life." -- prediction, Scientific American magazine, 1899

04-29-2003, 09:48 PM	#4
mzokc Member Join Date: Jan 2003 Location: Orange County, CA Posts: 1,198	Media was not in favor of Disneyland after opening day: Quote: It was called "A Hollywood Spectacular - A Spectacular Failure" and "Disney's Folly." The whole story at: http://www.mouseplanet.com/jason/011.htm Mark

04-29-2003, 10:24 PM	#5
larryKay Member Join Date: Apr 2003 Location: Scarsdale, NY, USA. Posts: 377	Not technology related. I am in the wine & liquor trade. when I first saw the Absolut bottle, I said, it won't fly, the bottle isn't too visible on the shelves..... Larry

04-29-2003, 11:43 PM	#6
Deviant Member Join Date: Dec 2002 Location: Houston, TX, USA. Posts: 732	A few ideas to research: I imagine "Fire comes from the heavens, you can't make it." The earth is flat. The heavens revolve around the earth. When a projectile loses energy it falls directly down. Heavier objects fall faster than lighter ones. Drain the poison out by draining the blood. (some good, but) Release the evil spirits by drilling holes in the skull. (again, sometimes effective!) A ship made of metal (material heavier than water) will sink. Nobody needs to driver faster than xx (25mph?). Nobody needs a computer faster than xx. DC is safer than AC. (its the amount that hurts) We can never have a building taller than xx, because it would collapse. Hey, we can make water pipes using lead because its malleable! Bees are spontaneously generated from rotting beasts. The lifeforce of "fire" is embedded in trees. (OK - maybe it is) You can't cook food in just a box. (solar cookers DO work) You can't escape the gravity of the earth. Superconductors can't exist above xx temperature (zero Kelvin?) Surely there are tons more. I imagine this thread is relevant due to the obvious difficulty grasping why the Segway HT doesn't just fall over. Good Luck.

04-30-2003, 12:15 AM	#7
jillmac Member Join Date: Feb 2003 Location: San Juan Capistrano, California, . Posts: 510	Computers will breed a paperless society! Hmmmmm. Nothing is inexplicable, merely unexplained..... Dr. Who

04-30-2003, 01:43 AM	#8
clm Member Join Date: Mar 2003 Location: Sacramento, California, USA. Posts: 366	Here is a current one! Myth: The Segway HT works by using its gyros to figure out how far and how fast to rotate the tires to stay underneath the rider ... Chris

05-05-2003, 02:56 PM	#9
JT Junior Member Join Date: Mar 2003 Location: , , . Posts: 97	Didn't Bill Gates say one like "No one will ever need more than 5 megs of hard drive space" back in the day...

07-03-2003, 03:30 AM	#10
Sunday Member Join Date: Dec 2002 Location: Logan, Utah Posts: 922	Modern appliances will simplify our hectic lives. Sunday

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