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The "Eat Your Words" Department

October 11, 1999

Here are a few quotations to use when people oppose your innovative efforts:

* "I think there is a world market for maybe five computers."
   --Thomas Watson, chairman of IBM, 1943
* "There is no reason anyone would want a computer in their home."
   --Ken Olson, president, chairman and founder of Digital Equipment Corp., 1977
* ·"This 'telephone' has too many shortcomings to be seriously considered
   as a means of communication. The device is inherently of no value to us."
   --Western Union internal memo, 1876
* "The concept is interesting and well-formed, but in order to earn better
   than a 'C,' the idea must be feasible."
   --A Yale University management professor in response to Fred Smith's paper
   proposing reliable overnight delivery service.
   (Smith went on the found Federal Express Corp.)
* "A cookie store is a bad idea. Besides, the market research reports say
   America likes crispy cookies, not soft and chewy cookies like you make."
   --Response to Debbi Fields' idea of starting Mrs. Fields' Cookies.
* "We don't like their sound, and guitar music is on the way out."
   --Decca Recording Co. rejecting the Beatles, 1962.
* "Everything that can be invented has been invented."
   --Charles H. Duell, Commissioner, U.S. Office of Patents, 1899.
* "Louis Pasteur's theory of germs is ridiculous fiction."
   --Pierre Pachet, Professor of Physiology at Toulouse, 1872.
* "$640K ought to be enough for anybody."
   --Bill Gates, 1981

Reference: Innovation Network: Articles & Reports (1998, July 6). The "eat your words" department. [On-line]. Available Internet: www.thinksmart.com

Just think where we'd be if Christopher Columbus listened to his critics. What
innovative ideas do you have? What are you doing to pursue your ideas? This
week encourage others to be innovative.

· Be sure to visit our website www.ag.ohio-state.edu/~leaders to see what
leadership resources are available on loan.

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Created: 2009-01-06, Updated: 2009-01-16