Inventions & Breakthroughs of March 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 March 14, 1986
Full News Archive
- Headline: Exploring 'Boys Next Door' Screening. Impact: The crime spree of these teens inspired a wave of 'cool' youth delinquency films, ultimately leading to the creation of countless misguided teen dramas that made our lives harder by glorifying bad decisions. Thanks a lot, Hollywood!. Fact: Did you know that 'Boys Next Door' is not just a film? It's also a warning label for parents everywhere!.
- Headline: Exploring Walter Hill's 'Crossroads'. Impact: Walter Hill's 'Crossroads' opened the door for countless wannabe musicians to take a road trip, thinking they could just strum their way to success. Spoiler alert: they couldn't.. Fact: Fun fact: 'Crossroads' is not to be confused with Britney Spears’ film of the same name, which is a completely different kind of tragedy!.
- Headline: Exploring 'Gung Ho' with Ron Howard. Impact: 'Gung Ho' inadvertently set off an international incident of misunderstandings between American workers and Japanese bosses, leading to the invention of the awkward office meeting as we know it today. Cheers to miscommunication!. Fact: Did you know that 'Gung Ho' is considered a classic? Apparently, the standards for classics have dropped significantly since then!.
- Headline: EAST REGIONAL; DUKE SURVIVES A SCARE FROM MISSISSIPPI VALLEY ST.. Impact: Duke's near loss to Mississippi Valley State sent shockwaves through college basketball, inspiring underdogs everywhere to believe they could achieve the impossible. Spoiler: they often can't, but it makes for a great story.. Fact: In the world of college basketball, almost winning is still just losing with style. Welcome to the big leagues!.
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