🧠 Inventions of 1996
Breakthroughs and everyday innovations from the year.
1 
USB Standard Deployment
2 
Online Social Network Concept
3 
Flash Memory Expansion
4 
Web-Based Mapping Service
5 
Online Education Platforms
6 
Video Conferencing Software
7 
Portable Digital Camera
8 
Speech-to-Text Software Expansion
9 
Search Engine Ranking Algorithm
10 
Online Payment Gateway
HEADLINES ON April 9, 1996
Full News Archive
- Headline: Chinese Women's Swim Team Aims for 1996 Glory. Impact: The Chinese Women's Swimming Team's resurgence led to an unexpected surge in global interest in competitive swimming, inspiring a generation of children to take up the sport. Unfortunately, it also sparked a bizarre trend of competitive swimming-themed reality shows, because why not combine athleticism with drama?. Fact: Did you know that the '96 Olympics would feature more swimming events than ever before? So much water, so little time!.
- Headline: U.S. Emergency Airlift in Liberia Crisis. Impact: The U.S. airlift from Liberia set a precedent for future evacuations, leading to the establishment of 'Operation Save Our Tourists,' which now includes a mandatory ‘how to not get caught in a war zone’ seminar for vacationers. Thanks, past Americans!. Fact: Did you know that the fighting in Liberia was so intense that it made the average family argument over dinner seem like a polite discussion? A little perspective goes a long way!.
Wall Street Time Machine
The Right Call: If you'd invested $1,000 in any one of these companies in 1996, here's what it would be worth in 2025.
Rank #2
MSFT
Microsoft
Price in 1996
$3.43
Value in 2025
$141,245
Microsoft - If you invested $1,000 in 1996, it would be worth $141,245 today (141.2x return)
Rank #3
AAPL
Apple
Price in 1996
$0.24
Value in 2025
$1,130,051
Apple - If you invested $1,000 in 1996, it would be worth $1,130,051 today (1130.1x return)
🦸 Top 5 Comics
Ultimate Spider-Man #1
$150
Superman: The Wedding Album
$150
Kingdom Come #1
$120
The Amazing Spider-Man #418
$4.00
Preacher #12
$150
🧸 Top 5 Toys
Tickle Me Elmo
$125.00
Beanie Babies
$10.00
Tamagotchi
$200.00
Space Jam Action Figures
$150.00
Nintendo 64
$300.00
🎮 Top 5 Video Games
Super Mario 64
$200.00
Tomb Raider
$200.00
Resident Evil
$243.85
Quake
$24.48
Pokã©Mon Red And Blue
$150.00
⚾ Top 5 Trading Cards
Charizard - Base Set (Shadowless) - 1st Edition
$300,000
Kobe Bryant Fleer Ultra Rookie Card
$1,200
Allen Iverson Topps Chrome Rookie Card
$3,000
Michael Jordan 1996 Skybox E-X2000 A Cut Above
$4,500
Delver Lens of Truth - 1996 Magic: The Gathering World Championship
$250,000