🧠 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 May 31, 1996
Full News Archive
- Headline: A Couple of Buddies: Fire and Friendship. Impact: The lack of fire in this medieval dragon slayer film inadvertently caused a global shortage of barbecue sauce centuries later. Who knew the culinary world would be so affected by a lackluster plot?. Fact: This film taught us that sometimes it's not about the dragons or the fire, but the friendships that can be forged in the most boring of circumstances. Riveting stuff..
- Headline: A Review of Alien Invasion Films. Impact: This alien invasion film inspired a whole generation to prepare for extraterrestrial encounters. As a result, the rise of tinfoil hat manufacturers skyrocketed, causing a unique economic boom in conspiracy fashion.. Fact: The film's tagline was so catchy that it led to an unexplained spike in sales of both air conditioners and alien-themed merchandise. Coincidence? I think not..
- Headline: From Fan to Coach: A Knicks Journey. Impact: The transition of a basketball fan to head coach set off a chain reaction that inspired countless couch potatoes to believe they could lead their favorite teams, resulting in a surge of amateur coaching clinics and a dramatic increase in popcorn sales.. Fact: In an ironic twist, the avid fan-coach's first strategy was to literally 'yell louder' than the opposing team. Spoiler alert: it didn't work, but it did inspire a new motivational speaking career..
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