Inventions & Breakthroughs of December 1969
Gadgets, lab surprises, odd bets, and future-shocks from this slice of the calendar.
1 
Microprocessor Concept
2 
ARPANET First Message
3 
Concorde Supersonic Transport
4 
Reusable Spacecraft Concept
5 
Computer Diskette Concept
6 
Charge-Coupled Device Prototype
7 
Medical CT Scanner Prototype
8 
Wireless Computer Networking Concept
9 
Electronic Calculator Consumer Model
10 
Spacecraft Lunar Module
The Sounds of
Popular recordings and roots/country selections associated with the year
HEADLINES ON December 19, 1969
Full News Archive
- Headline: First Leg of London-to-Sydney Air Race. Impact: This air race inadvertently led to the creation of a new sport: competitive sightseeing. A hundred years later, people are racing to see who can take the worst selfies at the most iconic landmarks.. Fact: Fun fact: The only thing faster than these planes was the realization that their pilots would never find a decent cup of coffee in the sky..
- Headline: Other Officials in Newark Reported Under Scrutiny; More Newark Officials Reported Under Inquiry. Impact: Inquiries into Newark officials led to the creation of the phrase 'Newark-style transparency,' which is now a euphemism for complete opacity in politics. The more things change, the more they stay the same, huh?. Fact: Fun fact: If you stacked all the investigations into Newark officials, they’d reach the moon. But don’t worry, they still haven’t found any answers up there..
- Headline: Senate Approves Mine Safety Bill. Impact: The approval of this bill was the first step in a long, convoluted series of regulations that eventually led to the creation of a reality TV show about miners who just can't seem to follow the rules. Yes, really.. Fact: Did you know that mine safety regulations are often more exciting than reality TV? Just kidding, they’re way less dramatic than the Kardashians..
- Headline: COLUMBIA PICTURES SHIFTS MANAGEMENT. Impact: This management shift at Columbia Pictures sparked a chain reaction of executive reshuffles, leading to a Hollywood where directors now have more power than scriptwriters. Spoiler alert: it didn’t end well.. Fact: Did you know that Hollywood executives are the only people who can turn a blockbuster into a flop faster than you can say 'sequel'?.
- Headline: SOVIET APPROVES NEW B.O.A.C.ROUTE; First London-Tokyo Flights, Via Moscow, Due in May. Impact: This agreement paved the way for global air travel, which eventually led to the phenomenon of airport security lines that seem to stretch into infinity. Thanks, USSR!. Fact: Did you know that the longest flight delay in history was caused by someone trying to smuggle a fruitcake through security? Not even kidding!.
Wall Street Time Machine
The Right Call: If you'd invested $1,000 in any one of these companies in 1969, here's what the stored 2025 dataset estimates.
Rank #1
JNJ
Johnson & Johnson
Price in 1969
$0.21
2025 dataset value
$972,040
Johnson & Johnson - If you invested $1,000 in 1969, it would be worth $972,040 today (972.0x return)
Rank #2
PG
Procter & Gamble
Price in 1969
$0.28
2025 dataset value
$527,083
Procter & Gamble - If you invested $1,000 in 1969, it would be worth $527,083 today (527.1x return)
Rank #3
MCD
McDonald's
Price in 1969
$0.22
2025 dataset value
$1,470,783
McDonald's - If you invested $1,000 in 1969, it would be worth $1,470,783 today (1470.8x return)
🦸 Top 5 Comics
Captain America #113
$150
The Avengers #57
$3,500
Green Lantern #76
$200
Iron Man #1
$20,000
The Silver Surfer #4
$10,600
🧸 Top 5 Toys
Hot Wheels
$40.00
Sesame Street Finger Puppets
$216.00
G.I. Joe Adventure Team
$1350.00
Spirograph
$75.00
Easy-Bake Oven
$120.00
⚾ Top 5 Trading Cards
1969 Topps Reggie Jackson #260
$30,000
1969 Topps Lew Alcindor #25
$300,000
1969 O-Pee-Chee Bobby Orr #24
$800
1969 Topps Nolan Ryan #533
$20,100.29
1969 Topps Mickey Mantle #500
$30,600