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 15, 1987
Full News Archive
- Headline: Exploring 'Ishtar' with Hoffman and Beatty. Impact: The release of 'Ishtar' led to a collective sigh from audiences that rippled through the decades, eventually inspiring the creation of a new genre: 'So Bad It's Good.' This butterfly effect culminated in countless midnight movie screenings where people laughed at it instead of with it, forever changing the way we appreciate cinematic disasters.. Fact: Did you know 'Ishtar' was so poorly received that it’s often cited as one of the worst films ever made? So bad it makes you reconsider your life choices. But hey, at least Hoffman and Beatty got paid, right?.
- Headline: Explore 'Personal Services' Film Comedy. Impact: The comedic portrayal of a British madam in 'Personal Services' sparked a newfound interest in the 'underbelly' of society, leading to a trend of quirky, 'realistic' portrayals of professions that most people weren't aware existed. Suddenly, everyone wanted to know what their local madam was up to.. Fact: Did you know that after this film, the term 'personal services' started being used in all sorts of new, awkward contexts? Thanks, Elaine May, for making every conversation slightly more uncomfortable..
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