In-the-Box, shades down & light-offs Thinking

I’ve been busy over the last few days doing a lot prep work for the conference track, Innovation & Change, I’m moderating at the upcoming Computers in Library conference that is only a month away. This year’s conference theme, Innovative Change: Integrating High Tech With High Touch, speaks a lot to many of the subject areas that I’ve been known to both blog and talk about – innovation, change and human (high) touch.

Anyway, in my travels for a few interesting quotes to share during the “I & C” track, I stumbled across this great list of quotable innovation stallers.

"Everything that can be invented has been invented."
— Charles H. Duell, Director of US Patent Office 1899

"Sensible and responsible women do not want to vote."
— Grover Cleveland, 1905

"Who the hell wants to hear actors talk?"
— Harry M. Warner, Warner Bros Pictures, 1927

"There is no likelihood man can ever tap the power of the atom."
— Robert Miliham, Nobel Prize in Physics, 1923

"Heavier than air flying machines are impossible."
— Lord Kelvin, President, Royal Society, 1895

"Ruth made a big mistake when he gave up pitching."
— Tris Speaker, 1921

"The horse is here today, but the automobile is only a novelty - a fad."
— President of Michigan Savings Bank advising against investing in the Ford Motor Company

"Video won't be able to hold on to any market it captures after the first six months. People will soon get tired of staring at a plywood box every night."
— Daryl F. Zanuck, 20th Century Fox, commenting on television in 1946

"What use could the company make of an electric toy?"
— Western Union, when it turned down rights to the telephone in 1878

In reading this list, it's easy to see that these folks (for whatever reason) not only couldn't think outside-the-box; they lived inside it with both the window shades pulled down and light bulbs turned off - both figuratively and mentally. :)