Inventions & Breakthroughs of December 1994
Gadgets, lab surprises, odd bets, and future-shocks from this slice of the calendar.
1 
E-Commerce Platform
2 
Secure Sockets Layer (SSL)
3 
Search Engine (Yahoo)
4 
Digital Mobile Phone Expansion
5 
Web Advertising Banner
6 
Online Multiplayer Gaming
7 
Personal Digital Assistant (PDA)
8 
Internet Radio
9 
Voice over IP Concept
10 
Medical Telemedicine Systems
The Sounds of
Popular recordings and roots/country selections associated with the year
HEADLINES ON December 26, 1994
Full News Archive
- Headline: Surviving Parenthood at 35,000 Feet. Impact: The quest for preboarding privileges led to the rise of entitled passengers everywhere. Now we have the 'first-class' mindset infecting the economy class with people who believe their latte is a boarding pass.. Fact: Did you know that the term 'preboarding' was invented to make the rest of us feel inferior? Thanks, airlines!.
- Headline: DINING OUT; At a Rebuilt Inn, a Choice of 28 Pastas. Impact: The revival of this inn likely inspired countless Pinterest boards dedicated to 'rustic charm.' Now every B&B owner is trying to recreate the 'old-world' vibe, complete with overpriced pasta.. Fact: Did you know that pasta dates back to ancient China? So technically, all those 28 pasta options are just a trendy rehash of an ancient staple..
- Headline: HOME CLINIC; Fine Art of Testing Circuits and Other Electrical Connections. Impact: The realization that house wiring can be dangerous led to the rise of DIY YouTube channels and an entire generation of people who think they can fix anything with a tutorial. Spoiler: they can't.. Fact: Did you know that 'home improvement' shows are often more about drama than actual home improvement? Just look at the amount of crying over paint samples!.
Wall Street Time Machine
The Right Call: If you'd invested $1,000 in any one of these companies in 1994, here's what the stored 2025 dataset estimates.
Rank #2
ORCL
Oracle
Price in 1994
$1.13
2025 dataset value
$159,565
Oracle - If you invested $1,000 in 1994, it would be worth $159,565 today (159.6x return)
🦸 Top 5 Comics
Spawn #26
$29.00
The Sandman #57
$150
Preacher #1
$150
X-Men #30
$250
Bone #10
$1,000
🧸 Top 5 Toys
Power Rangers Action Figures
$150.00
Pogs
$50.00
LEGO Ice Planet 2002
$150.00
VR Troopers Toys
$50.00
Easy-Bake Oven (Reissue)
$75.00
🎮 Top 5 Video Games
Donkey Kong Country
$180.00
Final Fantasy VI
$250.00
Sonic the Hedgehog 3
$39.50
System Shock
$100.00
Earthworm Jim
$150.00
⚾ Top 5 Trading Cards
Michael Jordan #1 (Star '84 Tribute)
$75,000
Magic: The Gathering 'Winter Orb'
$300
Shaquille O'Neal #32 (USA Basketball)
$250,000
Ken Griffey Jr. 'Griffey' #72 (Topps Stadium Club)
$1,272
Jace, the Mind Sculptor
$500,000