Comments on: The Stupidest Business Decisions in History http://www.neatorama.com/2008/04/15/the-stupidest-business-decisions-in-history/ The Neat Side of the Web Wed, 25 Nov 2009 13:57:45 -0600 http://wordpress.org/?v=2.8.6 hourly 1 By: Affordable Software http://www.neatorama.com/2008/04/15/the-stupidest-business-decisions-in-history/comment-page-1/#comment-1568526 Affordable Software Sun, 15 Mar 2009 14:25:34 +0000 http://www.neatorama.com/2008/04/15/the-stupidest-business-decisions-in-history/#comment-1568526 HAHAHA, bath room reader :) Ya turing down the beatles would of made me cry. HAHAHA, bath room reader :)

Ya turing down the beatles would of made me cry.

]]> By: gerard pawling http://www.neatorama.com/2008/04/15/the-stupidest-business-decisions-in-history/comment-page-1/#comment-1287983 gerard pawling Sat, 20 Dec 2008 19:05:26 +0000 http://www.neatorama.com/2008/04/15/the-stupidest-business-decisions-in-history/#comment-1287983 how about W bailing out the auto companies...who's next? how about W bailing out the auto companies...who's next?

]]> By: JWW http://www.neatorama.com/2008/04/15/the-stupidest-business-decisions-in-history/comment-page-1/#comment-803677 JWW Mon, 25 Aug 2008 21:20:25 +0000 http://www.neatorama.com/2008/04/15/the-stupidest-business-decisions-in-history/#comment-803677 So, Computer Repair, you say that you won't buy a Ford because you say that they steal ideas... How many of MS's products do you currently use? So, Computer Repair, you say that you won't buy a Ford because you say that they steal ideas... How many of MS's products do you currently use?

]]> By: Red Five http://www.neatorama.com/2008/04/15/the-stupidest-business-decisions-in-history/comment-page-1/#comment-801341 Red Five Mon, 25 Aug 2008 13:53:41 +0000 http://www.neatorama.com/2008/04/15/the-stupidest-business-decisions-in-history/#comment-801341 @me and pylenyh: Apple paid Xerox a lot of company stock to see the GUI research being done at PARC (or Palo Alto RESEARCH Center). PARC didn't develop products; they did research and let others buy the rights to use it. The only thieving that happened was when BillG extorted the Macintosh UI from Apple on the threat of killing applications in development for the Macintosh. Oh, and Xerox's GUI research was actually nothing like what we take for granted today. All of the concepts in the modern GUI were developed by Apple, based on the research they paid to see from Xerox. @me and pylenyh:
Apple paid Xerox a lot of company stock to see the GUI research being done at PARC (or Palo Alto RESEARCH Center). PARC didn't develop products; they did research and let others buy the rights to use it. The only thieving that happened was when BillG extorted the Macintosh UI from Apple on the threat of killing applications in development for the Macintosh.

Oh, and Xerox's GUI research was actually nothing like what we take for granted today. All of the concepts in the modern GUI were developed by Apple, based on the research they paid to see from Xerox.

]]> By: josh http://www.neatorama.com/2008/04/15/the-stupidest-business-decisions-in-history/comment-page-1/#comment-634126 josh Tue, 01 Jul 2008 06:23:13 +0000 http://www.neatorama.com/2008/04/15/the-stupidest-business-decisions-in-history/#comment-634126 Kiss taking the makeup off? Metallica cutting their hair? George Bush, jr? Kiss taking the makeup off?
Metallica cutting their hair?
George Bush, jr?

]]> By: Richard http://www.neatorama.com/2008/04/15/the-stupidest-business-decisions-in-history/comment-page-1/#comment-550910 Richard Tue, 13 May 2008 23:35:28 +0000 http://www.neatorama.com/2008/04/15/the-stupidest-business-decisions-in-history/#comment-550910 Be careful what you believe; some of these stories aren't true or are mis-remembered/reported. An example right at the (current) bottom: As a hardware designer in the late '70s, I can tell you that liquid crystal displays (LCDs) didn't exist as an option when HP started making digital calculators. They went with LEDs because that's what was available at the time for a reasonable cost. ...If there's a back-story wherein HP turned down the opportunity to be the first to use the LCD, it would STILL have to be something more than ten years after they were already making the LED-display calculators... R Be careful what you believe; some of these stories aren't true or are mis-remembered/reported. An example right at the (current) bottom: As a hardware designer in the late '70s, I can tell you that liquid crystal displays (LCDs) didn't exist as an option when HP started making digital calculators. They went with LEDs because that's what was available at the time for a reasonable cost. ...If there's a back-story wherein HP turned down the opportunity to be the first to use the LCD, it would STILL have to be something more than ten years after they were already making the LED-display calculators...

R

]]> By: Blog Quiz http://www.neatorama.com/2008/04/15/the-stupidest-business-decisions-in-history/comment-page-1/#comment-537493 Blog Quiz Mon, 05 May 2008 04:12:08 +0000 http://www.neatorama.com/2008/04/15/the-stupidest-business-decisions-in-history/#comment-537493 I wonder if the guys who turned down the beatles got fired I wonder if the guys who turned down the beatles got fired

]]> By: Ev Beran http://www.neatorama.com/2008/04/15/the-stupidest-business-decisions-in-history/comment-page-1/#comment-533462 Ev Beran Thu, 01 May 2008 15:59:43 +0000 http://www.neatorama.com/2008/04/15/the-stupidest-business-decisions-in-history/#comment-533462 See also HP's rejection of LCD displays in favor of LED's for their hand held calculators. (Homework left to the student) See also HP's rejection of LCD displays in favor of LED's for their hand held calculators. (Homework left to the student)

]]> By: Geoff http://www.neatorama.com/2008/04/15/the-stupidest-business-decisions-in-history/comment-page-1/#comment-528886 Geoff Mon, 28 Apr 2008 18:07:18 +0000 http://www.neatorama.com/2008/04/15/the-stupidest-business-decisions-in-history/#comment-528886 The story about Perot and Gates was a missed opportunity. Perot's most notorious mistake involved a meeting with Arthur Blank and Bernie Marcus. They had gotten Perot to agree to buy a large block of their company and to provide further financing for growth and development. The deal came down to discussing executive perks, particularly cars. Marcus wanted Perot to simply pay off the 6yr old Cadillac he was driving. Perot told him to get a new Chevy since, "my people don't drive Cadillacs". The difference would have only been a few thousand more for the Chevy, but it was money that didn't need to be spent. The discussion broke down, leading Blank and Marcus to walk out and develop their company on their own. You may have heard of it: Home Depot. An investment of less than $20million would have netted Perot more than $10billion, but he wanted to split hairs between a used Caddy and a new Chevy. Talk about value shopping... The story about Perot and Gates was a missed opportunity. Perot's most notorious mistake involved a meeting with Arthur Blank and Bernie Marcus. They had gotten Perot to agree to buy a large block of their company and to provide further financing for growth and development. The deal came down to discussing executive perks, particularly cars. Marcus wanted Perot to simply pay off the 6yr old Cadillac he was driving. Perot told him to get a new Chevy since, "my people don't drive Cadillacs". The difference would have only been a few thousand more for the Chevy, but it was money that didn't need to be spent. The discussion broke down, leading Blank and Marcus to walk out and develop their company on their own. You may have heard of it: Home Depot. An investment of less than $20million would have netted Perot more than $10billion, but he wanted to split hairs between a used Caddy and a new Chevy. Talk about value shopping...

]]> By: gerard pawling http://www.neatorama.com/2008/04/15/the-stupidest-business-decisions-in-history/comment-page-1/#comment-525155 gerard pawling Sat, 26 Apr 2008 00:21:56 +0000 http://www.neatorama.com/2008/04/15/the-stupidest-business-decisions-in-history/#comment-525155 how about DIAGEO scouping up UNITED BRANDS for the unlimate coup? how about DIAGEO scouping up UNITED BRANDS for the unlimate coup?

]]> By: me http://www.neatorama.com/2008/04/15/the-stupidest-business-decisions-in-history/comment-page-1/#comment-522688 me Wed, 23 Apr 2008 13:11:15 +0000 http://www.neatorama.com/2008/04/15/the-stupidest-business-decisions-in-history/#comment-522688 How about Xerox allowing Apple to reach into their closet of inventions which would never go anywhere, and come out with the mouse. No charge. How about Xerox allowing Apple to reach into their closet of inventions which would never go anywhere, and come out with the mouse. No charge.

]]> By: Patrick http://www.neatorama.com/2008/04/15/the-stupidest-business-decisions-in-history/comment-page-1/#comment-522106 Patrick Wed, 23 Apr 2008 00:32:14 +0000 http://www.neatorama.com/2008/04/15/the-stupidest-business-decisions-in-history/#comment-522106 To continue The Beatles-EMI story, it was largely The Beatles' commercial success at EMI that helped fund EMI's Central Research Laboratories division. It was there at EMI's laboratories that the CT Scanner was invented (originally called the EMI Scanner). So you can almost say that Decca Records turning down The Beatles was one of the worst business decisions in history but indirectly, one of the best medical decisions in history as well. To continue The Beatles-EMI story, it was largely The Beatles' commercial success at EMI that helped fund EMI's Central Research Laboratories division. It was there at EMI's laboratories that the CT Scanner was invented (originally called the EMI Scanner). So you can almost say that Decca Records turning down The Beatles was one of the worst business decisions in history but indirectly, one of the best medical decisions in history as well.

]]> By: Tim http://www.neatorama.com/2008/04/15/the-stupidest-business-decisions-in-history/comment-page-1/#comment-521651 Tim Tue, 22 Apr 2008 19:47:39 +0000 http://www.neatorama.com/2008/04/15/the-stupidest-business-decisions-in-history/#comment-521651 What about the publisher(s) that turned down J.K. Rowling and her Harry Potter books? Bet the person(s) who turned her away are no longer employed! What about the publisher(s) that turned down J.K. Rowling and her Harry Potter books? Bet the person(s) who turned her away are no longer employed!

]]> By: Masodark http://www.neatorama.com/2008/04/15/the-stupidest-business-decisions-in-history/comment-page-1/#comment-521525 Masodark Tue, 22 Apr 2008 17:40:47 +0000 http://www.neatorama.com/2008/04/15/the-stupidest-business-decisions-in-history/#comment-521525 What about New Coke? How did that not make the list? What about New Coke? How did that not make the list?

]]> By: Drewbot http://www.neatorama.com/2008/04/15/the-stupidest-business-decisions-in-history/comment-page-1/#comment-521269 Drewbot Tue, 22 Apr 2008 15:57:17 +0000 http://www.neatorama.com/2008/04/15/the-stupidest-business-decisions-in-history/#comment-521269 Let it be known that Schlitz has released its original formula in long-neck bottles, and it is being sold in ten Chicago venues. I think they are testing to see how it sells. I tried it at Schuba's, and it was really good. Let it be known that Schlitz has released its original formula in long-neck bottles, and it is being sold in ten Chicago venues. I think they are testing to see how it sells. I tried it at Schuba's, and it was really good.

]]> By: Computer Repair http://www.neatorama.com/2008/04/15/the-stupidest-business-decisions-in-history/comment-page-1/#comment-521089 Computer Repair Tue, 22 Apr 2008 14:50:23 +0000 http://www.neatorama.com/2008/04/15/the-stupidest-business-decisions-in-history/#comment-521089 Bill gates never made his own stuff. Everything was also bought or mostly stolen from other companies or small time programmers. One reason why I will never buy a ford. They never innovate, only copy. Kind of like Microsoft. Bill gates never made his own stuff. Everything was also bought or mostly stolen from other companies or small time programmers. One reason why I will never buy a ford. They never innovate, only copy. Kind of like Microsoft.

]]> By: Chris http://www.neatorama.com/2008/04/15/the-stupidest-business-decisions-in-history/comment-page-1/#comment-521059 Chris Tue, 22 Apr 2008 14:10:07 +0000 http://www.neatorama.com/2008/04/15/the-stupidest-business-decisions-in-history/#comment-521059 Yeah these are easy to bash now, back in the front seat at the time? Not so easy. Yeah google tried to sell to excite/yahoo, etc., but think what they were asking. For a million we'll give you a search engine. Umm, "we already have that!", "yeah but ours is better", "um, yeah right get out of here!". No one has a time machine... Yeah these are easy to bash now, back in the front seat at the time? Not so easy. Yeah google tried to sell to excite/yahoo, etc., but think what they were asking. For a million we'll give you a search engine. Umm, "we already have that!", "yeah but ours is better", "um, yeah right get out of here!".

No one has a time machine...

]]> By: pylenyh http://www.neatorama.com/2008/04/15/the-stupidest-business-decisions-in-history/comment-page-1/#comment-521048 pylenyh Tue, 22 Apr 2008 14:01:04 +0000 http://www.neatorama.com/2008/04/15/the-stupidest-business-decisions-in-history/#comment-521048 What about Xerox PARC? They had PCs, GUI, Email, everything way before MS or Apple. The execs said it was all useless and would never come to anything. They then demonstrated it to Steve Jobs and he stole all the ideas. As soon as I saw this I expected to see that at the top. BAD NERDS! BAD! Dummies What about Xerox PARC? They had PCs, GUI, Email, everything way before MS or Apple. The execs said it was all useless and would never come to anything. They then demonstrated it to Steve Jobs and he stole all the ideas.

As soon as I saw this I expected to see that at the top. BAD NERDS! BAD!

Dummies

]]> By: Eric http://www.neatorama.com/2008/04/15/the-stupidest-business-decisions-in-history/comment-page-1/#comment-521011 Eric Tue, 22 Apr 2008 13:18:02 +0000 http://www.neatorama.com/2008/04/15/the-stupidest-business-decisions-in-history/#comment-521011 HP turned down the Apple I. HP turned down the Apple I.

]]> By: thewisemonkey7 http://www.neatorama.com/2008/04/15/the-stupidest-business-decisions-in-history/comment-page-1/#comment-520833 thewisemonkey7 Tue, 22 Apr 2008 08:49:53 +0000 http://www.neatorama.com/2008/04/15/the-stupidest-business-decisions-in-history/#comment-520833 The winner has to be Gerald Ratner, former CEO of Ratners Group jewellers (now Signet Group). He said, about his own products: "We also do cut-glass sherry decanters complete with six glasses on a silver-plated tray that your butler can serve you drinks on, all for £4.95. People say, "How can you sell this for such a low price?" I say, because it's total crap." This nearly bankrupted the company. XD The winner has to be Gerald Ratner, former CEO of Ratners Group jewellers (now Signet Group). He said, about his own products:

"We also do cut-glass sherry decanters complete with six glasses on a silver-plated tray that your butler can serve you drinks on, all for £4.95. People say, "How can you sell this for such a low price?" I say, because it's total crap."

This nearly bankrupted the company. XD

]]> By: elpumpy http://www.neatorama.com/2008/04/15/the-stupidest-business-decisions-in-history/comment-page-1/#comment-520813 elpumpy Tue, 22 Apr 2008 08:06:41 +0000 http://www.neatorama.com/2008/04/15/the-stupidest-business-decisions-in-history/#comment-520813 @ltwally MS never bought CP/M, CP/M was Digital Research's operating system. Knute has it right. @ltwally
MS never bought CP/M, CP/M was Digital Research's operating system. Knute has it right.

]]> By: zarathustra98 http://www.neatorama.com/2008/04/15/the-stupidest-business-decisions-in-history/comment-page-1/#comment-520786 zarathustra98 Tue, 22 Apr 2008 07:06:07 +0000 http://www.neatorama.com/2008/04/15/the-stupidest-business-decisions-in-history/#comment-520786 Can we not forget <a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/New_Coke" rel="nofollow">New Coke!<a> :) Can we not forget New Coke! :)

]]> By: maki http://www.neatorama.com/2008/04/15/the-stupidest-business-decisions-in-history/comment-page-1/#comment-520765 maki Tue, 22 Apr 2008 06:28:19 +0000 http://www.neatorama.com/2008/04/15/the-stupidest-business-decisions-in-history/#comment-520765 not surprising www.makeoverfun.net not surprising

http://www.makeoverfun.net

]]> By: ltwally http://www.neatorama.com/2008/04/15/the-stupidest-business-decisions-in-history/comment-page-1/#comment-520700 ltwally Tue, 22 Apr 2008 04:10:57 +0000 http://www.neatorama.com/2008/04/15/the-stupidest-business-decisions-in-history/#comment-520700 If memory serves, Microsoft bought CP/M (which became DOS) for a meger $40,000. Digital Research didn't really lose out, as Microsoft screwed the creator of CP/M and probably wanted to screw over Digital Research as well. If memory serves, Microsoft bought CP/M (which became DOS) for a meger $40,000. Digital Research didn't really lose out, as Microsoft screwed the creator of CP/M and probably wanted to screw over Digital Research as well.

]]> By: Matthew Hall http://www.neatorama.com/2008/04/15/the-stupidest-business-decisions-in-history/comment-page-1/#comment-520699 Matthew Hall Tue, 22 Apr 2008 04:05:52 +0000 http://www.neatorama.com/2008/04/15/the-stupidest-business-decisions-in-history/#comment-520699 You forgot about not publishing Harry Potter, lots of people turned down the series. You forgot about not publishing Harry Potter, lots of people turned down the series.

]]> By: Leon123 http://www.neatorama.com/2008/04/15/the-stupidest-business-decisions-in-history/comment-page-1/#comment-520141 Leon123 Mon, 21 Apr 2008 19:11:25 +0000 http://www.neatorama.com/2008/04/15/the-stupidest-business-decisions-in-history/#comment-520141 Mego was offered a chance to produce action figures for a new sci fi move but turned it down. That movie was Star Wars. Mego was offered a chance to produce action figures for a new sci fi move but turned it down.

That movie was Star Wars.

]]> By: mommy g http://www.neatorama.com/2008/04/15/the-stupidest-business-decisions-in-history/comment-page-1/#comment-515960 mommy g Thu, 17 Apr 2008 12:42:37 +0000 http://www.neatorama.com/2008/04/15/the-stupidest-business-decisions-in-history/#comment-515960 i had read these in the 13th bathroom reader (we have them all in our "library", haha) but it's nice to see them here, too, so that people who don't usually pick up books might read one!! i had read these in the 13th bathroom reader (we have them all in our "library", haha) but it's nice to see them here, too, so that people who don't usually pick up books might read one!!

]]> By: laughing at your mistakes http://www.neatorama.com/2008/04/15/the-stupidest-business-decisions-in-history/comment-page-1/#comment-515236 laughing at your mistakes Wed, 16 Apr 2008 17:10:15 +0000 http://www.neatorama.com/2008/04/15/the-stupidest-business-decisions-in-history/#comment-515236 Bill Gates never came up with DOS, he was unable to, he had to buy it from another man, as a result, Microsofts success comes from bill gates inability to produce anything at all, only buy other peoples innovations. Bill Gates never came up with DOS, he was unable to, he had to buy it from another man, as a result, Microsofts success comes from bill gates inability to produce anything at all, only buy other peoples innovations.

]]> By: Alex http://www.neatorama.com/2008/04/15/the-stupidest-business-decisions-in-history/comment-page-1/#comment-514938 Alex Wed, 16 Apr 2008 07:01:19 +0000 http://www.neatorama.com/2008/04/15/the-stupidest-business-decisions-in-history/#comment-514938 Oops - I did mean #3, thanks graffiksguru! I blame these fat figners for these typos. Doh! Oops - I did mean #3, thanks graffiksguru! I blame these fat figners for these typos. Doh!

]]> By: graffiksguru http://www.neatorama.com/2008/04/15/the-stupidest-business-decisions-in-history/comment-page-1/#comment-514315 graffiksguru Tue, 15 Apr 2008 21:25:42 +0000 http://www.neatorama.com/2008/04/15/the-stupidest-business-decisions-in-history/#comment-514315 I liked the story, I think you had a typo in the Mash one though, I'm assuming you meant "#3", instead of "$3", not a big deal, I do it occasionally too. I liked the story, I think you had a typo in the Mash one though, I'm assuming you meant "#3", instead of "$3", not a big deal, I do it occasionally too.

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