Inventions & Breakthroughs of May 1987
Gadgets, lab surprises, odd bets, and future-shocks from this slice of the calendar.
1 
Digital Camera Sensor Improvements
2 
Portable Cellular Phone
3 
Computer-Aided Surgery Systems
4 
Compact Flash Memory Concept
5 
Desktop Publishing Software (PageMaker)
6 
Medical Ultrasound Doppler Imaging
7 
Network File Sharing Protocols
8 
Automated Warehouse Robotics
9 
Digital Music Compact Disc Production
10 
Space Station Module Concepts
The Sounds of
Popular recordings and roots/country selections associated with the year
HEADLINES ON May 1, 1987
Full News Archive
- Headline: Arizona's Hidden Money Mystery Unveiled. Impact: The scramble for hidden money in Arizona led to a series of wildly optimistic treasure hunts that inspired a generation of amateur archaeologists, who then mistook their backyard for an ancient burial ground, resulting in an annual holiday dedicated to the 'Lost Art of Digging Holes.'. Fact: Did you know that many people believe 'hidden money' is just a euphemism for their lost sanity while watching reality TV?.
- Headline: Discover 'Rosa Luxemburg': A Leftist Icon. Impact: The film 'Rosa Luxemburg' sparked a renewed interest in socialism that inadvertently led to a modern-day uprising called 'The Great Avocado Toast Rebellion' where millennials protested the high cost of brunch, leading to an unexpected economic boom in local cafes.. Fact: Fun fact: Rosa Luxemburg once said, 'Freedom is always freedom for the one who thinks differently'—unless you're at brunch, where the only freedom is deciding which overpriced mimosa to order..
- Headline: Exploring 'Element of Crime' by Lars von Trier. Impact: Lars von Trier's attempt to make a future cop think like a murderer sparked a series of self-help books for police officers, resulting in the 'Confessions of a Cop: An Emotional Journey' bestseller that had readers questioning who they really were—much like the cops themselves.. Fact: Did you know that Lars von Trier once filmed a movie about a dog trying to understand human psychology? Spoiler alert: it was a woof of a time!.
Wall Street Time Machine
The Right Call: If you'd invested $1,000 in any one of these companies in 1987, here's what the stored 2025 dataset estimates.
Rank #1
AAPL
Apple
Price in 1987
$0.14
2025 dataset value
$1,945,817
Apple - If you invested $1,000 in 1987, it would be worth $1,945,817 today (1945.8x return)
Rank #2
MSFT
Microsoft
Price in 1987
$0.10
2025 dataset value
$4,778,667
Microsoft - If you invested $1,000 in 1987, it would be worth $4,778,667 today (4778.7x return)
Rank #3
INTC
Intel
Price in 1987
$0.25
2025 dataset value
$146,978
Intel - If you invested $1,000 in 1987, it would be worth $146,978 today (147.0x return)
🦸 Top 5 Comics
Batman: The Dark Knight Returns #4
$150
Watchmen #12
$150
Daredevil #227
$500
X-Men #221
$125
Justice League #1
$1,500
🧸 Top 5 Toys
Teddy Ruxpin
$300.00
Koosh Ball
$75.00
Nerf Football
$900.00
Jenga
$300.00
Pound Puppies
$75.00
🎮 Top 5 Video Games
The Legend of Zelda
$500.00
Final Fantasy
$150.00
Metal Gear
$299.99
Street Fighter
$185.00
Contra
$200.00
⚾ Top 5 Trading Cards
1987 Fleer Michael Jordan #59
$18,100.00
1987 Topps Barry Bonds #320
$1,200
1987 Donruss Greg Maddux Rated Rookie #36
$300
1987 Topps Tiffany Bo Jackson #170
$170
1987 Panini Soccer Diego Maradona #82
$250,000