Inventions & Breakthroughs of September 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 September 3, 1988
Full News Archive
- Headline: Mad Motorist Film Review. Impact: This film review sparked a newfound obsession with road rage in Hollywood, leading to an entire genre of 'car-chase therapy' films where drivers resolve their issues through cinematic vehicular mayhem, ultimately resulting in a spike in insurance premiums.. Fact: Did you know that ex-priests shooting motorists actually led to a rise in priestly driving schools? Because nothing says 'forgiveness' like teaching someone to parallel park..
- Headline: Navigating Cellular Phone Service Options. Impact: This advice about cellular phone service created a ripple effect that eventually led to the invention of 'self-service customer support' lines, which are essentially just very patient robots giving you the silent treatment.. Fact: Fun fact: The phrase 'you don’t have to sign up with the one your phone dealer offers' was later retweeted by every disgruntled customer in history..
- Headline: Brawl on 46th Street Involves Guardian Angels. Impact: The brawl on 46th Street transformed the Guardian Angels from a community safety group into a reality TV sensation, leading to a bizarre trend of neighborhood watch programs being staffed by ex-wrestlers.. Fact: Interestingly, the only thing more chaotic than a brawl between Guardian Angels and locals is the paperwork required to sort out the angelic versus earthly injuries..
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