Inventions & Breakthroughs of May 1988
Gadgets, lab surprises, odd bets, and future-shocks from this slice of the calendar.
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
Popular recordings and roots/country selections associated with the year
HEADLINES ON May 14, 1988
Full News Archive
- Headline: Blind Ophthalmologist's Troubled Voyage. Impact: The troubled voyage of the blind ophthalmologist led to the establishment of a new travel advisory for medical professionals. This document would later inspire a reality TV series where doctors are stranded in exotic locations, leading to a generation of 'traveling doctors' who think they can fix anything, anywhere.. Fact: Did you know that 'blind ophthalmologist' is a title that should probably come with a warning label? Like, 'Caution: May lead to accidental ocular mishaps.'.
- Headline: S.E.C. Attorney's Harassment Ruling. Impact: This landmark ruling opened the floodgates for workplace harassment cases, leading to a highly caffeinated, overly dramatic legal drama series that would air years later. In this alternate reality, the SEC now stands for 'Seriously Egregious Conduct' among its employees.. Fact: Did you know that the acronym 'SEC' was originally intended to mean 'Slightly Embarrassed Committee'? Yeah, that didn't age well..
- Headline: New York Killer Escapes Dressed as Officer. Impact: The manhunt for this killer inadvertently inspired a popular Halloween costume trend of dressed-up killers posing as police officers, which would later cause unending confusion at parties and schools. Thanks, society!. Fact: Did you know that dressing as a cop for Halloween is still a better career choice than actually being a cop in certain cities? Talk about a career upgrade!.
Wall Street Time Machine
The Right Call: If you'd invested $1,000 in any one of these companies in 1988, here's what the stored 2025 dataset estimates.
Rank #1
AAPL
Apple
Price in 1988
$0.31
2025 dataset value
$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
2025 dataset value
$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