🧠 Inventions of 1990
Breakthroughs and everyday innovations from the year.
1 
World Wide Web Prototype
2 
Digital Cellular GSM Standard
3 
Photoshop Software
4 
Human Genome Project Launch
5 
Digital Audio Compression (MP3)
6 
Satellite Navigation Civil Expansion
7 
Pen-Based Computing Concept
8 
Electronic Whiteboard
9 
Medical Laparoscopic Surgery Tools
10 
Virtual Reality Headset Prototype
The Sounds of
The biggest hits of the year — Top 10 Pop & Country chart toppers
HEADLINES ON December 19, 1990
Full News Archive
- Headline: Transformation of Broadway Retail Space. Impact: As Broadway transformed into a retail haven, it inadvertently created a time loop that led to the rise of hipster cafes and artisanal donut shops. Who knew a simple strip of retail could spawn a thousand Instagram accounts?. Fact: Did you know that the first artisanal donut shop was actually a cover for a secret society of pastry perfectionists? No? Well, that’s because I just made it up..
- Headline: Sean Connery Stars in 'The Russia House'. Impact: Sean Connery's portrayal in 'The Russia House' led to an unexpected surge in Cold War-themed parties in the 1990s, where people dressed as spies and drank vodka like it was the end of the world. Spoiler alert: it wasn’t.. Fact: Did you know that Sean Connery once turned down a role in a film about a talking cat? Some say it was his best career decision..
- Headline: Shakespeare's Bold Adaptation Reviewed. Impact: The fierce energy of Zeffirelli's Shakespeare inspired a generation of directors to inject Shakespearean themes into everything, including reality TV. The Bard would be thrilled to know his works led to 'The Real Housewives of Verona'.. Fact: Did you know that Shakespeare wrote his plays in a time when the internet didn’t exist? Imagine him trying to tweet about 'Hamlet' in 140 characters or less!.
- Headline: Reviews/Film; A Thief Finds That God Really Is Charlton Heston. Impact: This film's premise of a safecracker helping a dying man sparked a trend of 'redemption through crime' movies, leading to an influx of heist films where criminals suddenly become moral compasses. Thanks, Hollywood!. Fact: Did you know Charlton Heston once played a role as a statue? Some say he was just practicing for his next big break..
- Headline: Chicago Parents' Suit Adds New Twist to Voucher Issue. Impact: The Chicago parents' lawsuit set off a chain reaction of educational debates across the nation. Fast forward a few decades, and suddenly everyone is a self-proclaimed education expert – just ask your neighbor.. Fact: Did you know that in Chicago, it’s illegal to own more than three opinions about education? They take this stuff seriously!.
Wall Street Time Machine
The Right Call: If you'd invested $1,000 in any one of these companies in 1990, here's what it would be worth in 2025.
Rank #1
MSFT
Microsoft
Price in 1990
$0.38
Value in 2025
$1,285,532
Microsoft - If you invested $1,000 in 1990, it would be worth $1,285,532 today (1285.5x return)
Rank #2
AAPL
Apple
Price in 1990
$0.26
Value in 2025
$1,043,076
Apple - If you invested $1,000 in 1990, it would be worth $1,043,076 today (1043.1x return)
🦸 Top 5 Comics
New Mutants #98
$300
Spider-Man #1
$10,000
X-Men #266
$150
Harbinger #1
$100
Detective Comics #622
$150
🧸 Top 5 Toys
Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles Action Figures
$150.00
Super Nintendo Entertainment System (SNES)
$250.00
Polly Pocket
$150.00
Pound Puppies
$75.00
Micro Machines
$300.00
🎮 Top 5 Video Games
Super Mario World
$579.99
Final Fantasy III (Final Fantasy VI in Japan)
$200.00
Mega Man 3
$200.00
The Secret of Monkey Island
$300.00
Dr. Mario
$254.95
⚾ Top 5 Trading Cards
1990 Topps Frank Thomas No Name on Front
$250,000
1990 Upper Deck Ken Griffey Jr. #156
$25,000
1990 Fleer Jose Uribe #74
$50
1990 Leaf Frank Thomas #300
$8,000
1990 O-Pee-Chee Premier Jaromir Jagr #50
$1,200