In 1899, Charles Howard Duell, the Commissioner of Patents, was quoted as saying, "Everything that can be invented has been invented." And of course we now know that to be so far from the truth. However, it was only an urban legend that Duell ever made that bad prediction.
In fact, Duell stated that in his opinion, all previous advances in the various lines of invention will appear totally insignificant when compared with those which the 20th century would witness. A middle-aged Duell even wished that he could live his life over again to see the wonders which were to come.
