Inventions & Breakthroughs of July 1991
Gadgets, lab surprises, odd bets, and future-shocks from this slice of the calendar.
1 
Linux Operating System
2 
Web Browser (WorldWideWeb)
3 
Flash Animation Concept
4 
Digital Camera (Consumer)
5 
Wi-Fi Networking Concept
6 
Portable MP3 Player Concept
7 
USB Interface Concept
8 
Medical Robotic Surgery Prototype
9 
Voice Recognition Software
10 
High-Speed Modem (56k)
The Sounds of
Popular recordings and roots/country selections associated with the year
HEADLINES ON July 31, 1991
Full News Archive
- Headline: Taiwan Bank Revives Manhattan Landmark. Impact: This seemingly innocuous banking move led to a complex web of financial decisions that caused one too many people to invest in overpriced avocado toast, eventually contributing to the 2020s housing crisis. Thanks, Taiwan Bank!. Fact: Did you know that real estate is just a fancy term for making other people pay for your bad decisions? Welcome to Manhattan!.
- Headline: California Magazine Ends 15-Year Run. Impact: The closure of California Magazine sent shockwaves through the world of print media, leading to a decline in hipster coffee shop decor and an increase in people actually talking to each other. Shocking, I know.. Fact: Fun fact: California Magazine's demise means one less place for people to read about avocado toast while sipping overpriced lattes. Truly a tragedy..
- Headline: Parody Takes Flight in 'Hot Shots!'. Impact: The success of 'Hot Shots!' led to an avalanche of parodies that eventually culminated in an entire generation believing that all war films should contain at least five fart jokes. Thanks for that, Hollywood!. Fact: Did you know that the original title for 'Hot Shots!' was 'Top Gun: The Silliest Version'? Just kidding, but wouldn’t that have been fun?.
Wall Street Time Machine
The Right Call: If you'd invested $1,000 in any one of these companies in 1991, here's what the stored 2025 dataset estimates.
Rank #1
AAPL
Apple
Price in 1991
$0.31
2025 dataset value
$882,251
Apple - If you invested $1,000 in 1991, it would be worth $882,251 today (882.3x return)
🦸 Top 5 Comics
X-Men #1
$300,000
The Infinity Gauntlet #1
$35
Spawn #1
$60
Sandman #19
$150
Spider-Man #1
$25,000
🧸 Top 5 Toys
Super Soaker 50
$350.00
Pogs
$25.00
Terminator 2 Action Figures
$3000.00
Nerf Bow 'n' Arrow
$150.00
Game Boy (Color Variants)
$250.00
🎮 Top 5 Video Games
Sonic the Hedgehog
$39.50
Street Fighter II
$1,830.00
The Legend of Zelda: A Link to the Past
$200.00
Super Mario World
$579.99
Final Fantasy IV
$350.00
⚾ Top 5 Trading Cards
Michael Jordan Upper Deck #SP1
$710.00
Ken Griffey Jr. Donruss Elite #/10000
$1,675
Brett Hull Upper Deck #AW1 (Award Winner)
$3,000
Chipper Jones Topps #333
$250,000
Magic the Gathering 1991 Alpha Black Lotus
$30,000