1859 – Charles Darwin’s foreword to ‘On the Origin of Species’ – “I seen no good reasons why the views given in this volume should shock the religious sensibilities of anyone”
Not only did that book shock the religious sensibilities of loads of people at the time, it has continued to shock until now. Religious extremists in the deep South still moan and winge about it and try to stop it being spoken about in schools. Maybe Darwin was just thinking wishfully.
1969 – Margaret Thatcher – “It will be years – not in my life time – before a woman becomes Prime Minister”
She was in power within 6 years of those immortal words. I think everyone was as surprised as her about a woman making it into the hot seat.
1861 – Lt. Joseph Ives, after visiting the Grand Canyon – “Ours has been the first [expedition], and doubtless to be the last, to visit this profitless locality”
Roughly 5 million people visit the Grand Canyon each year nowadays. I guess they’re seeing it through different eyes now though. They aren’t looking to make cash from its barren flanks. It just looks pretty.
1828 – Dr. Dionysys Larder, science writer and academic – “Rail travel at high speeds is not possible, because passengers, unable to breathe, would die of asphyxia”
I’m a bit nervous about getting the train home for Christmas now… will I be OK?
1916 – Charlie Chaplin – “The cinema is little more than a fad… It’s canned drama. What audiences really want to see is flesh and blood on the stage”
Nope. Cinema has done alright and it’s theatre that’s now struggling. My personal view is that if they found a way of making massive explosions and car chases in the theatre they could come back from the grave. That’s all we want now really, gun fights and pile ups.
☛ Next Up: History Of The Hitler Moustache
