Inventions & Breakthroughs of September 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 September 15, 1987
Full News Archive
- Headline: Harnessing the Power of Ceramics. Impact: If these ceramics had been mastered sooner, maybe we'd all be living in homes made of shimmering, super-efficient materials instead of crumbling drywall. Who knew that the key to world peace was stuck in a kiln?. Fact: Did you know that ceramics have been around since the Stone Age? So, basically, we've been trying to make ceramics cool for over 10,000 years. Progress, right?.
- Headline: The Bizarre Tale of 'Street Trash'. Impact: The strange effects of the contaminated spirits led to a new trend in Brooklyn: 'Drunken Philosopher' street debates, where vagrants invented new conspiracy theories about the moon landing—because, of course, the moon was made of cheese!. Fact: Fun fact: 'Street Trash' was so impactful that it inspired a whole generation of filmmakers to rethink their definitions of 'fine cinema.'.
- Headline: In the Mood: 1940s Romantic Adventures. Impact: This teen's romantic exploits paved the way for the rise of reality TV, where the biggest drama involves who forgot to bring guacamole to a party. Thanks a lot, 1940s teen!. Fact: In a shocking turn of events, 'In the Mood' didn't actually result in a musical explosion; instead, it merely made awkward teenage crushes a cultural phenomenon for decades to come..
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