Inventions & Breakthroughs of February 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 February 12, 1986
Full News Archive
- Headline: Explore 'Crazy Family' Screening Event. Impact: The release of 'Crazy Family' caused a sudden influx of Japanese cultural exports, leading to an unexpected rise in sushi consumption in the United States. This ultimately resulted in the creation of sushi burritos, which, if you squint hard enough, could be a metaphor for modern life.. Fact: Did you know that 'Crazy Family' wasn't just a movie? It was also a compelling argument against the dire consequences of wealth without purpose—much like a trust fund kid trying to find themselves in yoga classes..
- Headline: Warning Against Overromanticized Careers. Impact: Dr. Gayle Greene’s warning about Gothic romances has caused a generational shift in literature, leading to the rise of self-help books for women. Now, instead of reading about love in castles, women are reading about how to find a real job and avoid the 'prince charming' trap—who, let’s face it, is probably just a dude in a polo shirt.. Fact: Fun fact: The term 'Gothic romance' is often used to describe novels that are about as romantic as a cold cup of coffee—great in theory, but ultimately disappointing. So, Dr. Greene might just be onto something!.
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