The problem with being a public figure, is that your words, and your predictions, will be written down and compared to what actually happens. Well, not every prediction is true, and some of them, like the ones on this list - miss the mark by a mile! |
Variety magazine, 1955 |
Charles Darwin, writing in the foreword to On the Origin of Species, 1859 |
Economist Irving Fisher in October 1929, three days before the stock market crash that triggered the Great Depression. |
A Decca Records executive to the band's manager, Brian Epstein, following an audition in 1962. He continued: "We don't like your boys' sound. Groups are out. Four-piece groups with guitars, particularly, are finished." |
Time magazine, 1968. |
John Langdon-Davies, A Short History of the Future, 1936. |
Margaret Thatcher, Oct. 26, 1969 |
Guglielmo Marconi, pioneer of radio, writing in Technical World magazine, October 1912 |
Kaiser Wilhelm II to German troops at the outset of World War One, August 1914 |
Surgeon General of the United States William H. Stewart, speaking to the U.S. Congress in 1969 |
Lt. Joseph Ives, after visiting the Grand Canyon in 1861 |
Dr. Dionysys Larder, science writer and academic, in 1828 |
Robert Millikan, American physicist and Nobel Prize winner, 1923 |
New York Times, 1936 |
Robert Metcalfe, inventor of Ethernet, in InfoWorld magazine, December 1995 |
The president of the Michigan Savings Bank advising Henry Ford’s lawyer, Horace Rackham, not to invest in the Ford Motor Company, 1903 |
William Orton, president of Western Union, in 1876, when Alexander Graham Bell tried to sell the company his invention. |
Charlie Chaplin in 1916, two years into his big-screen acting career. The rest of the quote: "It's canned drama. What audiences really want to see is flesh and blood on the stage. |
An aide to British military commander Field Marshal Haig wrote this in a report following a tank demonstration, 1916 |
Thomas Edison, 1889. The lightbulb inventor insisted his own direct current (DC) system was superior to competitor George Westinghouse's AC power, and took every opportunity to discredit alternating current. |
Mary Somerville, pioneer of radio educational broadcasts, 1948 |
Byte magazine editor Edmund DeJesus, 1998 |
Alan Sugar, 2005 |
Popular Mechanics, 1949 |
Sci-fi writer Bruce Sterling in The New York Times, 2007 |
Microsoft CEO Steve Ballmer, 2007 |
What Life Looks Like for British Royal Babies
Discover the cool and surprising facts about the Royal family's babies, the only babies in the world who are given passports at birth.
Why is There an Expiration Date On Bottled Water?
Can bottled water go bad? No, but what happened if you leave it open?
14 Things We Bet You Never Knew About Chocolate!
How much do we really know about chocolate? Here are 14 things we bet you didn’t know about chocolate!
15 Facts So Fascinating You’ll Have to Pass Them On!
A few interesting facts make even the most mundane topic fascinating. Check out these 15 facts across many different topics.
The Origins of Labor Day With Vintage Parade Photos
A brief history of Labor Day accompanied by original vintage photos from past Labor Day parades around the US and Canada.
Expand Your Knowledge with These Intriguing Facts
They say those who keep learning stay young. So if you're a keen learner, check out these fascinating facts about history, nature, and a variety of other topics!
Pivotal Historical Scenes Frozen in the Frame of a Moment
A collection of rare historical moments you probably won't find in textbooks.
Life in Japan is so Interesting! Want to Know About It?
Japan has a number of cultural differences. Here are 15 intriguing facts about this countries.
8 Books That Predicted the Future With Strange Accuracy
It always feels eerie when the future is predicted correctly and it turns out literature is full of such accurate forecasts. These 8 novels were particularly spot on.
Every Common Phrase Started Somehow...
The origins of these common phrases are fascinating.
Nostalgic Collection: Click to See the Historical Photos!
Click on any of the photos to be taken to a post full of some of our most fascinating historical photographs.
History: The Full Story of Napoleon's Epic Defeat
The full story of the battles Napoleon fought that eventually lead to his ultimate defeat.
Let's Remember Matthew Perry by His Lovely Quotes
"Friends” star Matthew Perry has passed away. Here’s a look at some of his most memorable quotes.
6 Creepy Mysteries the World Never Solved
There are some mysteries that, despite scientists’ best attempts, still remain unsolved to this day. Here are 6 such mysteries.
21 Tips to Make Your Golden Years the Time of Your Life
Many seniors will offer a different piece of advice on life. This collection of tips will allow you to live the most wondrous golden years imaginable.
The Chilling Story of Hungary’s Murderous Blood Countess
Elizabeth Bathory is one of the most feared names in Hungary, with a sadistic streak to rival that of Vlad the Impaler's.
Learning to Trust Again - Rehabilitating an Abused Dog
Ralph the abandoned dog learns to trust again...
These 3 Breakthroughs Are Making Historians Jump for Joy!
Learn about some of the most fascinating findings that archaeologists and historians have recently uncovered. Get ready to be amazed!
These Specialized Tools Have the Most Unique Uses
These specialized tools have the most unusual uses.
These Feel-Good Facts Warmed My Heart...
These feel-good facts would warm anyone's heart.
25 Old Photos That Show How Different the World Used To Be
Check out this amazing collection of vintage pictures that show us how much the world around us has changed.
These Theories On Reality Will Blow Your Mind
There are many crazy theories about the nature of reality, but some of them definitely outdo the others. Here are 10 mind-blowing theories about reality.
I Bet You Never Knew These U.S. Geography Facts...
Do you consider yourself to be a proud American who knows all there is to know about the good ol’ U.S. of A.? We bet you didn't know these facts!
Hark Back to Meiji-Era Japan With These Stunning Pictures
The Meiji Era was a time of great change for Japan, transforming from a feudal state into a capitalist, imperialist one. Take a look at these stunning pictures.
12 Typical American Things That Didn’t Originate in the US
Many things we often think are typically American, such as cowboys, comic strips and mac & cheese, have actually started far away from the USA
Rock On with This 'Eye of the Tiger' Drum Solo Act
This has to be the most stunning drum performance!
She Will Never Forget Her Marriage Proposal. Ever.
This is a Marriage Proposal For the Books...
8 Incredible Historical Predictions that Actually Came True
Here, we present some truly remarkable fictional predictions made in history that actually turned out to be true.
Learn All About Herodotus, the Father of History
Learn all about Herodotus, and how he came to be known as the 'Father of History' in this informative video.
Watch This Card Magician Make Penn and Teller’s Jaws Drop
Everybody knows colored light can make things appear different, but can it actually permanently paint them? This magician believes it can.
These Well-Known Places Have Their Hidden Secrets!
These well-known places have their hidden secrets. Read this article to reveal all!
Travel Back in Time With These Rare Moments From History...
Some photos date as far back as to the early 20th Century, with a few prototype designs that would eventually pave the way for the technology we use today. Take a stroll down memory lane with these Rare moments.
1 Day in Pompeii: Experience That Fateful Day!
One day in 79 AD the city of Pompeii was tragically destroyed by an extraordinary volcanic eruption. This video shows you just how the scene would have unfolded.
We Bet You Never Knew the Origins of These Common Idioms!
We bet you use the following 8 common idioms all the time, but have you ever stopped to take the time to think about where they came from?
Louis Armstrong Said it Best, Didn't He...?
This amazing song can really open your eyes to nature's beauty, and the beauty we make for ourselves.
26 Vintage Celebrity Photos Filled with Undeniable Charm
Let's take a look at 26 vintage photos filled with undeniable charm.
Hello, January: Inspiring Quotes to Greet the New Month
Let’s start the new year with these amusing and inspiring January quotes.
Astronaut Chris Hadfield Debunks Fascinating Space Myths
Chris Hadfield the astronaut makes sense of some of the wildest space myths and facts.
12 Genius Ancient Chinese Inventions We Use to This Today
In this article, we'll focus on 12 surprising everyday items we all use that got their start many centuries ago in Ancient China...
This Man Will Teach You to Speak So You Are Always Heard
Julian Treasure is a sound expert who has been researching human speech and the psychology behind it and is now sharing his findings, teaching people how to speak so that others will listen.
9 Facts About Ancient Egypt You Probably Didn’t Know
Venture beyond the usual facts about the pyramids and Tutankhamen and learn 9 equally fascinating facts and misconceptions about Ancient Egypt
These Couples Show Us That You're Never Too Old to Find Love
It’s never too late to find true love. These inspiring couples show one that love has no age limit.
Your Mind Does Play Tricks On You, Say Neuroscientists
There are many sensory tricks that your mind plays on you. Find out about the different phenomena that neuroscientists have discovered over the decades.
Love is Beautifully Captured in These Historic Photos...
While much has changed over the last century, there is one thing that has always remained the same, and that is love. Take a look at this photo collection.
Yasuke: The Story of the African Samurai
The incredible historical story of an African man who went to Japan on a Portuguese ship and never came back, remaining as a powerful Samurai named Yasuke.
The Dark and Fascinating History of the Romanov Family
For more than three hundred years, the Romanov family had absolute power over Russia, this is their fascinating story.
How Are Men and Women Different? A Few Good Examples
In this series of funny but true pictures, we get a quick tour of some of the major differences between men and women...