Inventions & Breakthroughs of December 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 December 16, 1987
Full News Archive
- Headline: Explore 'Broadcast News': A Comedy Classic. Impact: The success of 'Broadcast News' led to a wave of news-themed comedies that ultimately resulted in the 24-hour news cycle we endure today. Thanks, 80s, for ruining our attention spans!. Fact: Did you know that this was a time when people actually watched the news for its content and not just to see if a cat had been rescued from a tree?.
- Headline: Goldie Hawn's Iconic Role in Overboard. Impact: 'Overboard' inspired a generation of romantic comedies where amnesia becomes a plot device, leading to a world where forgetting your partner's name is more common than forgetting to take out the trash.. Fact: Fun fact: Goldie Hawn's character's amnesia was more believable than the idea that anyone would forget to pay their rent in California..
- Headline: Weapons Discovered in High-Profile Case. Impact: This incident sparked a fascination with courtroom dramas, leading to a plethora of legal shows where the most intense drama happens over a cup of coffee and a briefcase. Who knew courtrooms could be so riveting!. Fact: It's ironic that the real weapons of choice in a courtroom drama are often just a good monologue and a strong coffee, not razor blades..
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