Inventions & Breakthroughs of June 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 June 10, 1986
Full News Archive
- Headline: Lee May Jr.'s Family Legacy in Baseball. Impact: If Lee May Jr. had opted to shag fly balls instead of watching, he might have become the next home run king, leading to a baseball revolution where everyone would be hitting dingers. The sport could have been dominated by 'mayhem' instead of 'May.'. Fact: Did you know that standing by the batting cage is a time-honored tradition for aspiring players? It's like the 'watch and learn' method, but with a lot less exercise..
- Headline: Chicago High School Boys' Spring Fever. Impact: The spring fever of Chicago high school boys could have spiraled into a nationwide epidemic, leading to a generation of lazy youths who would eventually invent the couch. This couch would go on to become the most influential piece of furniture in history.. Fact: Fun fact: 'Spring fever' is just another term for 'I’d rather be anywhere but school!' Who knew that skipping class could lead to such historical ramifications?.
- Headline: Insightful Film on Uruguayan Political Prisoners. Impact: The political prisoners in Uruguay being taped could have sparked a global revolution of transparency, leading to a world in which everyone had a camera on their phone, resulting in today's obsession with documenting everything, including your lunch.. Fact: Did you know that 'Eyes of the Birds' was just a precursor to the reality TV craze? Who needs real life when you can watch political prisoners? Just kidding, that’s actually quite serious..
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