Inventions & Breakthroughs of August 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 August 20, 1991
Full News Archive
- Headline: Tragic Crash Sparks Police Confrontation. Impact: The tragic death of the boy sparked a series of community protests and calls for improved pedestrian safety, leading to the establishment of stricter traffic laws nationwide. Ironically, this also resulted in a trend of 'safer' cars that became so bulky that they now require their own zip code.. Fact: In 2021, over 38,000 people died in car crashes in the U.S. alone. So, if you thought the 90s were wild, just wait until you hear about the 'car that was also a house' trend that followed..
- Headline: Tragic Brooklyn Crash Triggers Police Clash. Impact: The tragic death of the boy sparked a series of community protests and calls for improved pedestrian safety, leading to the establishment of stricter traffic laws nationwide. Ironically, this also resulted in a trend of 'safer' cars that became so bulky that they now require their own zip code.. Fact: In 2021, over 38,000 people died in car crashes in the U.S. alone. So, if you thought the 90s were wild, just wait until you hear about the 'car that was also a house' trend that followed..
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