🧠 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)
The Sounds of
The biggest hits of the year — Top 10 Pop & Country chart toppers
HEADLINES ON April 13, 1986
Full News Archive
- Headline: Canadian Teachers Migrating to U.S.. Impact: This influx of Canadian teachers to the U.S. sparked a chain reaction resulting in a new breed of cross-border classrooms, where students learn math in French and complain about the weather in English.. Fact: The only thing colder than a Canadian winter is the reception of their accent in Texas..
- Headline: Campaign '86: The Price of Politics. Impact: The outrageous campaign financing set a precedent for future elections, proving that a million dollars could indeed buy you a seat—just ask anyone running for office in the 21st century.. Fact: In politics, money talks, but it often whispers questionable things in dark alleys..
- Headline: BLACKBOARD NOTES; HOW TO FIND A SHEEPSKIN IN THE ATTIC. Impact: Students digging through attics for scholarships inadvertently started a trend where families began hoarding diplomas and dusty trophies, mistaking them for future wealth. Spoiler: they're not.. Fact: The attic is the only place where you'll find more forgotten dreams than in a high school reunion..
- Headline: EFFORT PRESSED ON TEEN-AGE PREGNANCY. Impact: The push to address teenage pregnancy led to an avalanche of sex education classes, resulting in a generation that can quote Shakespeare yet still doesn’t know how to use protection.. Fact: Teenage pregnancy rates dropped, but so did the number of awkward conversations between parents and their kids..
- Headline: ASSEMBLY CONTEST WILL BE A FAMILY AFFAIR. Impact: Family affairs in politics set a precedent for political dynasties, paving the way for the world where family names are more powerful than actual policies. Just ask any Kennedy.. Fact: In politics, family ties are stronger than the bonds of sanity..
- Headline: BLACKBOARD NOTES; GRADE 'A' BURGERS. Impact: Rewarding good grades with cheeseburgers established a nationwide trend of bribing students with food. This led to the rise of the 'A for a Big Mac' culture, which is still going strong today.. Fact: In some places, a cheeseburger is considered a better motivator than a diploma..
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