"The creation of ideas can be compared to the birth of rabbits: if properly inspired production is endless."
— Jack Whiting
In 1972, when I started publishing my monthly newsletter titled "Creativity In Action," I found fantastic statements, some by well-known people, that fiercely negated new ideas of the time. I’d like to share some of them with you and give you something to laugh at and wonder about. Over the years I published many of them and called them "Wet Blankets in History."
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In 1899, Charles Duell, commissioner of the U.S. Patent Office, wrote a letter to President McKinley suggesting that the president close the Patent Office because, as he said, "Everything that can be invented has been invented." Incredible? Absurd? Stupid? Yes, yes, yes! If he had his way none of my patents would have ever been issued. And what about the over 120,000 patents issued last year to so many inventors?
In 1949, Popular Mechanics magazine, forecasting the relentless march of science, wrote: "Computers in the future may weigh no more the 1.5 tons." Three-thousand pounds? Current laptops are continually going down in weight, some as low as 3 pounds.
In 1943, Thomas Watson, chairman of IBM, said this, "I think there is a world market for maybe five computers." Watson was a fool in other matters also, supporting Adolph Hitler’s murders and his war. In my small family there are now eight computers. In a country like China there is a potential market for several billion computers.
A Western Union internal memo in 1876 read, "This telephone thing has too many shortcomings to be seriously considered as a means of communication. The device is inherently of no value to us." Of course, this Western Union internal memo is dated well over 100 years ago, and in those days science fiction stories were just beginning to be written. I wonder what they might have said about cell phones if they had been invented at that time.
While at college, Fred Smith’s paper proposing a reliable system for overnight delivery service got this response from his teacher, "The concept is interesting and well-formed, but in order to earn better that a ‘C’ grade the idea must be feasible."
Smith, after graduating, went on to found Federal Express Corp. FedEx. Feasible? Yes, you bet! A quick "Automatic NO!" reaction by a supposedly smart and literate man, a university professor. I hate to say this, but sometimes university professors believe they are "smarter" than they really are.
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Lord Kelvin, president of the British Royal Society, and one of Britain’s most famous scientists, said this in 1895, "Heavier than air flying machines are impossible." You can see that even famous scientists sometimes act as devil’s advocates and deliver loud "Automatic NO!" responses to new ideas. What a deadly word is "impossible" as used by so-called talented people, as well as by ignorant and prejudiced people.
Think about that World War II slogan for business in America, "The difficult we do now. The impossible takes a little longer."
Kelvin was not the only pundit who used the concept of things being impossible when evaluating the future of airplanes. Marshal of France Ferdinand Foch (1851-1929), professor of strategy, ecole superiure de guerre, one of the most important generals in France, said, "Airplanes are interesting things, but of no military value." It would be interesting to resurrect Foch and take him here, and to Afghanistan and other places, for a look-see. But would he be capable of believing his eyes?
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Sir John Eric Ericksen, British surgeon, appointed surgeon-extraordinary to Queen Victoria in 1873, had this to say, "The abdomen, the chest and the brain will forever be shut from the intrusion of the wise and humane surgeon." Come on back, Sir John, and visit your local hospital’s cardiac surgery unit. Then, tell us what you think. And please try to use "forever" in more positive ways.
In the magazine Scientific American in January 1909, this comment appeared, "That the automobile has practically reached the limit of its development is suggested by the fact that during the past year no improvement of a radical nature has been introduced." From one of my favorite magazines, but this statement seems too ridiculous to comment on. Yes, scientists and editors are known to sometimes subscribe to the "Automatic NO!" response to new ideas. I am a current subscriber to Scientific American. In the 21st century, it seems to have overcome the foolishness of the statement mentioned above.
"He couldn’t hit an inside pitch to save his neck. If he were a white man, I doubt if they would even consider him as big league material." Statement made by Bob Feller, a superb Cleveland Indians pitcher after the 1947 announcement that the Brooklyn Dodgers had signed Jackie Robinson.
As an avid baseball fan, I was dismayed by this offensive racial statement by Bob Feller. In his own way, Jackie Robinson fitted the mold of an Angel’s Advocate. He challenged the naysayers and built a distinguished career. Keep an open mind and say "YES" more often.
"Common sense" is frequently called upon, or cited, by naysayers, to justify and maintain these hopeless statements and opinions. I’d say that "uncommon sense" can often lead you to new ideas, inventions, and a new breakthrough solution of a difficult problem. Keep your imagination going!
Sidney X Shore is a scientist, inventor and educator who lives in Sharon and holds more than 30 U.S. patents.
Cement penguins greet customers entering The 403 Group Antique Market.Photo by Robin Roraback
