🧠 Inventions of 1988
Breakthroughs and everyday innovations from the year.
1 
Internet Worm
2 
Portable Laptop Computer
3 
Digital Video Compression Concept
4 
Global Positioning System Civilian Access
5 
Medical Imaging PACS Systems
6 
Touchscreen Interface Prototype
7 
Digital Signal Processor Expansion
8 
Automated Speech Recognition Systems
9 
Electronic Mail Client Software
10 
Reusable Launch Vehicle Studies
The Sounds of
The biggest hits of the year — Top 10 Pop & Country chart toppers
HEADLINES ON February 20, 1988
Full News Archive
- Headline: Grumman's $40 Million Settlement with M.T.A.. Impact: If Grumman hadn't paid up, we might have seen a rise in rogue bus enthusiasts organizing underground races on NYC streets. Who knew public transport could spark a 'Fast & Furious' sequel?. Fact: Fun fact: The M.T.A. still can’t figure out how to make trains run on time, but at least they got $40 million to throw at the problem!.
- Headline: Exploring 'Stranded': A Sci-Fi Adventure. Impact: The aliens' choice to kidnap a grandmother and her granddaughter may have sparked intergalactic debates on the ethics of alien abduction. Future historians will argue this event led to a universal code of conduct for extraterrestrial interactions.. Fact: Did you know? This film was almost titled 'Grandma's Intergalactic Adventure,' but they decided the aliens needed a bit more drama..
- Headline: YOUR MONEY; Financial Plans For New Parents. Impact: This financial advice for new parents might have inadvertently led to a generation of parents who budget so well that they accidentally start a trend in minimalist parenting. Thanks, but no thanks!. Fact: Did you know? The phrase 'financial planner' was almost replaced by 'money wizard' but they decided to keep it professional..
Wall Street Time Machine
The Right Call: If you'd invested $1,000 in any one of these companies in 1988, here's what it would be worth in 2025.
Rank #1
AAPL
Apple
Price in 1988
$0.31
Value in 2025
$884,238
Apple - If you invested $1,000 in 1988, it would be worth $884,238 today (884.2x return)
Rank #2
MSFT
Microsoft
Price in 1988
$0.24
Value in 2025
$2,037,337
Microsoft - If you invested $1,000 in 1988, it would be worth $2,037,337 today (2037.3x return)
🦸 Top 5 Comics
The Killing Joke
$75
Sandman #1
$500
Batman: A Death in the Family
$150
The Spectre #1
$42,000
Wolverine #1
$1,500
🧸 Top 5 Toys
Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles Action Figures
$200.00
Super Powers Collection
$150.00
Ghostbusters Proton Pack
$300.00
Polly Pocket
$250.00
Micro Machines
$300.00
🎮 Top 5 Video Games
Super Mario Bros. 3
$120.00
Mega Man 2
$200.00
Dragon Quest III
$200.00
Super Contra
$150.00
Altered Beast
$269.99
⚾ Top 5 Trading Cards
Michael Jordan 1988 Fleer Basketball #17
$250,000
Wayne Gretzky 1988 O-Pee-Chee Hockey #1
$2,040.00
Kenner Starting Lineup Steve Young 1988 Figure Card
$600
Super Mario Bros. 1988 Topps Nintendo Game Pack #1A
$500
Bo Jackson 1988 Topps Baseball #750
$129