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 2, 1988
Full News Archive
- Headline: Philip Morris Issues $250 Million Notes. Impact: The issuance of those seven-year notes set off a chain reaction where investors became obsessed with yield. Fast forward to today, and you have people obsessively flipping through financial news like it's a reality TV show, all because of a $250 million bond. Who knew a piece of paper could change the way we binge-watch Wall Street?. Fact: Did you know that a bond's interest rate is basically its way of saying, 'Please trust me with your money?' Because nothing says trust like a piece of paper promising to pay you back!.
- Headline: Cities Embrace Modern Incineration Technology. Impact: As cities embraced the new generation of incinerators, they inadvertently sparked a trend in urban waste disposal that led to the rise of eco-friendly technologies. This eventually paved the way for hipster composting workshops and the invention of artisanal garbage bags. Thanks, modernity!. Fact: Fun fact: Incinerators are the original 'out of sight, out of mind' solution for garbage. Because nothing says 'environmentally friendly' like turning your trash into smoke. Good luck breathing!.
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