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 21, 1987
Full News Archive
- Headline: Loughlin Games Shine at Manhattan College. Impact: If the Loughlin Games had been held in a different location, the ensuing decades of competitive spirit in high school athletics might have been diminished, leading to an alternate universe where students settle their rivalries by playing chess instead of running races. Imagine the chaos at chess tournaments!. Fact: Did you know that indoor track events were once considered a way to keep athletes from discovering the joys of sunlight? Yes, it’s true! Mother Nature was not a fan of the Loughlin Games..
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