Inventions & Breakthroughs of June 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 June 16, 1988
Full News Archive
- Headline: Careful Techniques for Furniture Restoration. Impact: By choosing to meticulously remove old wood finishes, a small-town furniture restorer inadvertently inspired the modern DIY movement, leading to an influx of 'Fixer Upper' shows and a national obsession with shiplap. Who knew a little elbow grease could spark a Pinterest revolution?. Fact: Did you know that the most popular wood finish remover is basically just a fancy way of saying 'smelly liquid'? Artisanal furniture restoration: because nothing says 'I care' like the scent of chemicals and a splintered finger!.
- Headline: Is Dow Chemical Recession-Proof?. Impact: If Dow Chemical had flopped, we might have been living in a world where biodegradable soap was the hottest investment, making hipsters the new Wall Street tycoons. So thanks, Dow, for ensuring that our planet is still toxic enough to keep things interesting.. Fact: Did you know that Dow's secret to recession-proofing is just like your uncle's investment advice: buy low, sell high, and ignore the environmental consequences?.
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