Inventions & Breakthroughs of January 1986
Gadgets, lab surprises, odd bets, and future-shocks from this slice of the calendar.
1 
Supercomputer (Cray-2)
2 
Artificial Intelligence Neural Networks Revival
3 
Portable GPS Receiver
4 
CD Burner Prototype
5 
Medical MRI Contrast Agents
6 
Automated Airline Reservation Systems
7 
Digital Telephone Switching Expansion
8 
Personal Laser Printer
9 
Electric Vehicle Research Program
10 
Space Telescope Deployment (Hubble Concept)
The Sounds of
Popular recordings and roots/country selections associated with the year
HEADLINES ON January 30, 1986
Full News Archive
- Headline: Exploring 'My Chauffeur' and Gender Norms. Impact: If it weren't for 'My Chauffeur,' we might still think women can't drive anything bigger than a compact car. Instead, we got a whole generation of women behind the wheel—literally. Who knew a film could shift societal norms about driving? Next stop: flying cars!. Fact: Did you know that this film paved the way for more female-centric stories? So, thanks to 'My Chauffeur,' we now have a plethora of movies where women do all kinds of things—like running for president or fighting aliens. Progress!.
- Headline: Big Apartment, Small Rent Wonders. Impact: Mary Katherine Corbett's rent-controlled apartment became the stuff of legends. As whispers of her good fortune spread, Manhattan real estate agents began concocting elaborate schemes to keep their secrets, leading to the rise of the 'mystical' rent-stabilized apartment myth. Now, everyone wants in on the magic!. Fact: Did you know that rent control is like a unicorn? Everyone talks about it, but only a few lucky ones ever see it, and even then, it’s probably covered in glitter and surrounded by fairy dust!.
Wall Street Time Machine
The Right Call: If you'd invested $1,000 in any one of these companies in 1986, here's what the stored 2025 dataset estimates.
Rank #1
MCD
McDonald's
Price in 1986
$2.07
2025 dataset value
$154,145
McDonald's - If you invested $1,000 in 1986, it would be worth $154,145 today (154.1x return)
Rank #2
AAPL
Apple
Price in 1986
$0.08
2025 dataset value
$3,574,639
Apple - If you invested $1,000 in 1986, it would be worth $3,574,639 today (3574.6x return)
Rank #3
MSFT
Microsoft
Price in 1986
$0.06
2025 dataset value
$8,149,367
Microsoft - If you invested $1,000 in 1986, it would be worth $8,149,367 today (8149.4x return)
🦸 Top 5 Comics
Batman: The Dark Knight Returns #1
$50
Watchmen #1
$300
Swamp Thing #46
$75
Maus #1
$100
Crisis on Infinite Earths #12
$15
🧸 Top 5 Toys
Laser Tag
$75.00
Teddy Ruxpin
$300.00
Jenga
$300.00
My Little Pony (Generation 1)
$300.00
G.I. Joe (A Real American Hero line)
$1350.00
🎮 Top 5 Video Games
The Legend of Zelda
$350.00
Metroid
$500.00
Castlevania
$90,000
Dragon Quest
$200.00
Out Run
$200.00
⚾ Top 5 Trading Cards
Michael Jordan Rookie Card
$250,000
Fleer Michael Jordan Sticker
$16,900
1986-87 Fleer Basketball Kareem Abdul-Jabbar
$6,500
1986 Garbage Pail Kids (3rd Series)
$3,000
Topps 1986 Traded Barry Bonds XRC
$745