By the late 1990s, a significant number of supposed experts were claiming all efforts were “too little too late” and worldwide disruptions in key businesses and services were imminent (Bergeon et al, 1999; Yourdon and Yourdon, 1998; Yardeni, 1998). The general public was advised to prepare for the worst and hope for the best. Common recommendations included taking a sizeable amount of cash from the bank to keep on hand, stocking food and water for days or weeks, keeping extra clothing and bedding available, filling automobile gas tanks, purchasing batteries and battery-operated radios and lanterns, and obtaining extra supplies of any needed prescription medications. By the end of 1999, the manufacturers of gas-powered electric generators could not keep up with the demands from concerned homeowners.