🧠 Inventions of 1988
Breakthroughs and everyday innovations from the year.
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
HEADLINES ON December 1, 1988
Full News Archive
- Headline: St. James's Club: A Hollywood Landmark. Impact: David Bowie's stay at the St. James's Club inspired countless musicians to channel their inner glam rock in hotel lobbies, inadvertently increasing the overall glitter population in Los Angeles by 300%.. Fact: The St. James's Club was so luxurious that it made other hotels feel like they were just hosting a neighborhood potluck..
- Headline: Dow Jones Rises to New Heights. Impact: The Dow's slight uptick caused a ripple effect of optimism that led to a nationwide obsession with watching stock tickers, ultimately resulting in the invention of apps that alert you when your favorite stocks are up by 0.01%.. Fact: At this rate, we might need to start measuring stock market gains in 'smidgeons' instead of points..
- Headline: Reviving the Canterbury Stand's Legacy. Impact: The strengthening of the Canterbury stand led to a renaissance of small furniture across the globe, inspiring hipster cafes to adopt 'Canterbury Chic' as their new aesthetic, complete with artisanal coffee served in reclaimed drawer spaces.. Fact: The original Canterbury stand was so frail that it was rumored to have been constructed by a particularly indecisive carpenter..
- Headline: RJR Nabisco Suitor Claims $24.88 Billion Victory. Impact: The dramatic RJR Nabisco takeover set a precedent for future corporate battles, leading to a reality TV genre that pits CEOs against each other in boardroom gladiator matches. Spoiler: everyone loses.. Fact: Kohlberg, Kravis, Roberts & Company may sound like a law firm, but they are actually just really enthusiastic about snacking and taking over snack companies..
Wall Street Time Machine
The Right Call: If you'd invested $1,000 in any one of these companies in 1988, here's what it would be worth in 2025.
Rank #1
AAPL
Apple
Price in 1988
$0.31
Value in 2025
$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
Value in 2025
$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