Is the End in Sight for Theoretical Physics?

‒ Stephen Hawking, 1980

There is nothing new to be discovered in physics now. All that remains is more and more precise measurement

‒ Lord Kelvin, 1900

The more important fundamental laws and facts of physical science have all been discovered

‒ Albert Michelson, 1894

So many centuries after the Creation, it is unlikely that anyone could find hitherto unknown lands of any value

‒ Spanish Royal Commission, rejecting Christopher Columbus proposal to sail west, < 1492