Inventions & Breakthroughs of January 1946
Gadgets, lab surprises, odd bets, and future-shocks from this slice of the calendar.
1 
Transistor
2 
Microwave Relay Communication
3 
Mobile Telephone System
4 
Electronic Numerical Integrator Upgrade
5 
Digital Storage Oscilloscope Concept
6 
Helicopter Rescue Winch
7 
Infrared Heat Lamps
8 
Automatic Dishwashing Machine
9 
Atomic Clock Concept
10 
Weather Radar
The Sounds of
Popular recordings and roots/country selections associated with the year
HEADLINES ON January 2, 1946
Full News Archive
- Headline: New Isotope, Traceable in Body, Seen Revealing Diseases' Secrets; NEW ISOTOPE SEEN AID TO MEDICINE. Impact: The introduction of Carbon 13 in medicine opened a Pandora's box of health insights. Who knew a tiny isotope could lead to the invention of kale smoothies and the modern obsession with quinoa?. Fact: Did you know that Carbon 13 is not actually a carbon dating service? Sorry, all you single isotopes out there looking for love!.
- Headline: Minister Knocks Out Intruder. Impact: The Reverend Schnaible's bout with an intruder sparked a mini-revival in self-defense classes for clergy. Suddenly, ministers everywhere were adding 'karate master' to their resumes.. Fact: It's said that a good sermon can knock you out... but apparently, so can a good right hook!.
- Headline: Mexico Ratifies Four Pacts. Impact: Mexico's ratification of four pacts may have inadvertently set off a chain reaction of diplomatic agreements worldwide, leading to a world where treaties are more common than family dinners.. Fact: Did you know that pacts sound way more intense than agreements? It's like calling dinner 'a culinary negotiation'—it just sounds cooler!.
Wall Street Time Machine
The Right Call: If you'd invested $1,000 in any one of these companies in 1946, here's what the stored 2025 dataset estimates.
Rank #1
PFE
Pfizer
Price in 1946
$0.15
2025 dataset value
$168,691
Pfizer - If you invested $1,000 in 1946, it would be worth $168,691 today (168.7x return)
Rank #2
JNJ
Johnson & Johnson
Price in 1946
$0.06
2025 dataset value
$3,433,942
Johnson & Johnson - If you invested $1,000 in 1946, it would be worth $3,433,942 today (3433.9x return)
Rank #3
PG
Procter & Gamble
Price in 1946
$0.25
2025 dataset value
$586,656
Procter & Gamble - If you invested $1,000 in 1946, it would be worth $586,656 today (586.7x return)
🦸 Top 5 Comics
All-Star Comics #27
$5,000
World's Finest Comics #25
$1,500
Four Color Comics #92
$150
Detective Comics #114
$10,200
Marvel Mystery Comics #78
$1,500
🧸 Top 5 Toys
Silly Putty
$20.00
Slinky
$20.00
Lionel Train Set
$1,500.00
Magic 7 Ring Puzzle
$85.00
Tinkertoy
$50.00
⚾ Top 5 Trading Cards
1946 Propaganda-Sammlung Walter Trier – Berlin Post-War Collection
$10,000
1946 International Stamps - Allied Military Government in Germany
$3,000
1946 UK Brooke Bond Tea Cards
$1,500
1946 Autograph Collecting Cards
$30,000
1946 Silks and Cigarette Silks
$11.00