04-29-2003, 07:36 PM | #1 |
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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 |
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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.
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04-29-2003, 09:45 PM | #3 |
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"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 |
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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 |
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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 |
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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 |
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Computers will breed a paperless society! Hmmmmm.
Nothing is inexplicable, merely unexplained..... Dr. Who |
04-30-2003, 01:43 AM | #8 |
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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 |
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Didn't Bill Gates say one like "No one will ever need more than 5 megs of hard drive space" back in the day...
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07-03-2003, 03:30 AM | #10 |
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Modern appliances will simplify our hectic lives.
Sunday |
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