🧠 Inventions of 1986
Breakthroughs and everyday innovations from the year.
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)
HEADLINES ON February 18, 1986
Full News Archive
- Headline: Iona Prep's Athletic Triumphs. Impact: Grahame Davis's leap in the long jump made him an overnight sensation. This moment inspired a generation of athletes to attempt increasingly ridiculous sports, leading to the establishment of competitive cheese-rolling and extreme ironing leagues. Thanks, Grahame.. Fact: Did you know that long jumpers sometimes joke that their sport is just a fancy way of avoiding a bad landing? Because who wouldn't want to land face-first into a sand pit?.
- Headline: Israeli Fencer Thrives at Notre Dame. Impact: This Israeli boy's choice to fence at Notre Dame set off a chain reaction of cultural exchanges. It sparked the invention of the 'Fencing for Peace' initiative that, ironically, resulted in more duels than dialogues. Who knew swords could create such sharp misunderstandings?. Fact: Fencing is the only sport where you can simultaneously feel like a knight and a pretentious art student. Just remember, no one looks cool in a mask unless they’re in a horror movie..
Wall Street Time Machine
The Right Call: If you'd invested $1,000 in any one of these companies in 1986, here's what it would be worth in 2025.
Rank #1
MCD
McDonald's
Price in 1986
$2.07
Value in 2025
$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
Value in 2025
$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
Value in 2025
$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