If you could turn back time.

From a record company, to U2.

"Dear Mr Hewson,

Thank you for submitting your tape of 'U2' to RSO, we have listened to it with careful consideration, but feel it is not suitable for us at present.

We wish you luck with your future career.

Yours sincerely,

Alexander Sinclair"

businessinsider.com

From Disney, to a female artist.

"Dear Miss Ford,

Your letter of recent date has been received in the Inking and Painting Department for reply.

Women do not do any of the creative work in connection with preparing the cartoons for the screen, as that work is performed entirely by young men. For this reason girls are not considered for the training school.

The only work open to women consists of tracing the characters on clear celluloid sheets with Indian ink and filling in the tracings on the reverse side with paint according to directions.

In order to apply for a position as "Inker" or "Painter" it is necessary that one appear at the Studio, bringing samples of pen and ink and water color work. It would not be advisable to come to Hollywood with the above specifically in view, as there are really very few openings in comparison with the number of girls who apply.

Yours very truly,

Walt Disney Productions LTD"

Flickr: polaroid / Via buzzfeed.com

From a record company, to The Who.

"Dear Mr Lambert,

I have listened again and again, to the High Numbers' white labels, taken from our test session and still cannot decide whether or not they have anything to offer.

You may, of course, in the meantime, have signed with another company, in which case, I wish you all the luck in the world. If you have not, I will be very interested to hear any other tapes you may have, featuring the group.

Yours sincerely,

John Burgess"

inc.com