Drill for oil? You mean drill into the ground to try and find oil? You're crazy. -- Drillers whom Edwin read more

Drill for oil? You mean drill into the ground to try and find oil? You're crazy. -- Drillers whom Edwin L. Drake tried to enlist in his project to drill for oil in 1859.

Crito, I owe a cock to Asclepius; will you remember to pay the debt?

Crito, I owe a cock to Asclepius; will you remember to pay the debt?

I desire to leave to the men that come after me a remembrance of me in good works.

I desire to leave to the men that come after me a remembrance of me in good works.

I have offended God and mankind because my work didn't reach the quality it should have.

I have offended God and mankind because my work didn't reach the quality it should have.

Ah, well, then I suppose I shall have to die beyond my means.

Ah, well, then I suppose I shall have to die beyond my means.

This 'telephone' has too many shortcomings to be seriously considered as a means of communication. The device is inherently of read more

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.

Thomas Jefferson still survives.

Thomas Jefferson still survives.

We don't like their sound, and guitar music is on the way out. -- Decca Recording Co. rejecting the Beatles, read more

We don't like their sound, and guitar music is on the way out. -- Decca Recording Co. rejecting the Beatles, 1962.

The wireless music box has no imaginable commercial value. Who would pay for a message sent to nobody in particular? read more

The wireless music box has no imaginable commercial value. Who would pay for a message sent to nobody in particular? -- David Sarnoff's associates in response to his urgings for investment in the radio in the 1920s.