Inventions & Breakthroughs of August 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 August 1, 1988
Full News Archive
- Headline: Market Place Success and Bank Funds. Impact: If bank funds had soared instead of losing ground, perhaps the entire 21st century financial landscape would be a utopia of stability and wealth. Instead, we got hedge funds. Thanks, bank funds!. Fact: In a shocking twist, bank funds are still around, proving that even mediocre investments have a tenacity matched only by reality TV shows..
- Headline: Doskocil's Journey to Meat Business Diversification. Impact: Larry D. Doskocil's journey from a cot in a chicken hatchery to a meat sales empire inspired countless entrepreneurs. Who knew sleeping next to chickens was the secret sauce for business success?. Fact: The phrase 'sleeping on it' takes on a whole new meaning when 'it' is a cot in a chicken hatchery. Talk about fowl dreams!.
- Headline: Rales Brothers' Ambitious Takeover Bid. Impact: The Rales brothers' aggressive takeover strategy set a precedent that would lead to a corporate landscape littered with 'mergers and acquisitions.' The butterfly flaps its wings, and suddenly we're all living in a boardroom drama.. Fact: If you thought 'takeover specialist' was a niche career, think again! It's basically corporate matchmaking, but with more spreadsheets and less romance..
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