Inventions & Breakthroughs of May 1989
Gadgets, lab surprises, odd bets, and future-shocks from this slice of the calendar.
1 
World Wide Web Concept
2 
Portable Digital Assistant Concept
3 
Flash Memory
4 
Digital Mobile Phone Networks
5 
Medical Robotic Surgery Concept
6 
High-Definition Television (HDTV)
7 
Computer-Aided Geographic Information Systems
8 
Electronic Music Workstation
9 
Satellite Internet Concept
10 
Reusable Rocket Booster Studies
The Sounds of
Popular recordings and roots/country selections associated with the year
HEADLINES ON May 31, 1989
Full News Archive
- Headline: Accelerating Learning for Struggling Students. Impact: By introducing an accelerated curriculum for slow learners, the education system inadvertently created a generation of overachieving tortoises. Fast forward a few decades, and these once 'slow' learners become the innovators behind AI, leaving their former teachers wondering why they didn't just speed things up sooner. Who knew a little pressure could lead to the next Einstein?. Fact: Did you know that the term 'slow learner' might just be a euphemism for 'future genius in disguise'? Yeah, no pressure, kids..
- Headline: David Evans Named CEO of United Artists. Impact: When David Evans took the helm at United Artists, it was like handing the keys to a Ferrari to a kid who's only driven a tricycle. His decisions may have led to some questionable films, which later inspired a whole genre of 'so bad it's good' movies, keeping bad movie nights alive and well. Thanks, David!. Fact: Fun fact: United Artists is known for films like 'Rocky' and 'James Bond' – so if you ever wondered why there are so many terrible sequels, now you know who to blame!.
Wall Street Time Machine
The Right Call: If you'd invested $1,000 in any one of these companies in 1989, here's what the stored 2025 dataset estimates.
Rank #1
AAPL
Apple
Price in 1989
$0.28
2025 dataset value
$971,793
Apple - If you invested $1,000 in 1989, it would be worth $971,793 today (971.8x return)
Rank #2
MSFT
Microsoft
Price in 1989
$0.23
2025 dataset value
$2,127,569
Microsoft - If you invested $1,000 in 1989, it would be worth $2,127,569 today (2127.6x return)
🦸 Top 5 Comics
The Sandman #1
$300
Batman: Legends of the Dark Knight #1
$35.00
The New Warriors #1
$50
Amazing Spider-Man #316
$30
The Punisher War Journal #7
$40
🧸 Top 5 Toys
Game Boy
$540.00
Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles Action Figures
$300.00
Polly Pocket
$150.00
Nintendo Entertainment System (NES)
$300.00
Ghostbusters Proton Pack
$300.00
🎮 Top 5 Video Games
Tetris
$200.00
SimCity
$10.77
Prince of Persia
$150.00
Castlevania III: Dracula's Curse
$781.00
Golden Axe
$200.00
⚾ Top 5 Trading Cards
Ken Griffey Jr. Rookie Card
$2,726
Michael Jordan Hoops Card
$250,000
Barry Sanders Rookie Card
$6,000
Randy Johnson Rookie Card (Marlboro Ad)
$70.00
John Stockton Hoops Rookie Card
$500