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 16, 1987
Full News Archive
- Headline: Harnessing the Promise of Superconducting Ceramics. Impact: The struggle to harness ceramics led to a wild goose chase in materials science, which ultimately resulted in the invention of the ceramic coffee mug. Without this essential item, modern coffee culture might have been a disaster, with people drinking their lattes from paper cups and being forced to recycle them while pretending they care about the environment. Thanks, ceramics!. Fact: Did you know that if the progress on superconducting ceramics had been faster, we might have a flying car by now? But hey, at least we have ceramic coffee mugs to keep us warm while we wait for that to happen!.
- Headline: Exploring 'Street Trash' Cult Classic. Impact: The bizarre events of 'Street Trash' sparked a new genre of 'gross-out' films that would eventually lead to the reality TV phenomenon. If Brooklyn vagrants had just stuck to drinking bottled water, we might have avoided the entire concept of 'Keeping Up with the Kardashians'.. Fact: Fun fact: 'Street Trash' was considered so bad that it actually improved the reputation of other films. It’s like being the least bad option in a group of bad options. Bravo!.
- Headline: Exploring 'In the Mood' and Romance. Impact: The 1940's romantic exploits made teenage crushes a media sensation, setting the stage for a never-ending cycle of young love stories that now flood social media feeds. Thanks to the media hero, every teenager now feels the pressure to become an influencer of love, turning awkward first dates into viral content.. Fact: Did you know that 1940's teenage romances were so scandalous that they inspired a whole generation to write terrible poetry? And here we thought TikTok was the downfall of romance!.
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