In 1886, if memory serves, Dmitry Mendeleev, the father of modern chemistry, set limits to growth of Russian big cities to 50 years. Because he saw no solution to the horse poo collection and storage problem. He thought streets in 50 years will be literally covered with horsies whoopsies in a thick way.
He could not predict the transportation revolution.
Same fallacy demonstrated the Rome Club with its Limits to Growth. Seriously, lads, we now have resources abundant as Sun, thorium reactors and cheap water distillation. What really limits mankind is capitalist greed, market anarchy and lack of planning.