Historically, erroneous predictions about the future have been commonplace. Some of these errors have slowed the development of new ideas for years, decades, or even longer. An early and succinct summary of the problem was given by Niccolo Machiavelli in The Prince, when he said:
"...there is nothing more difficult to take in hand, more perilous to conduct, or more uncertain in its success, than to take the lead in the introduction of a new order of things. Because the innovator has for enemies all those who have done well under the old conditions, and lukewarm defenders in those who may do well under the new. This coolness arises partly from ... the incredulity of men, who do not readily believe in new things until they have had a long experience of them. Thus it happens that whenever those who are hostile have the opportunity to attack they do it like partisans, whilst the others defend lukewarmly...."
Several web pages are devoted to this subject:
Foresight: "Erroneous Predictions and Negative Comments Concerning Scientific and Technological Developments."
The discoverer of quasicrystals recalls the initial reaction to his work.
Null Hypothesis, the journal of unlikely science: "It'll never work!"
New Scientist: "Ten impossibilities conquered by science."
Things People Said: "Bad Predictions."
Science Hobbyist: "Against excessive skepticism."
KFUPM blog: "Top 30 failed technology predictions."
Creating Minds: "Creative quotes and quotations By Experts."
Space Quotations: "Seeing the future."
As well as some books:
"The Experts Speak : The Definitive Compendium of Authoritative Misinformation"