Inventions & Breakthroughs of August 1998
Gadgets, lab surprises, odd bets, and future-shocks from this slice of the calendar.
1 
Search Engine (Google)
2 
Wi-Fi Consumer Routers
3 
Digital Music Store Concept
4 
Satellite Radio
5 
Online File Sharing
6 
Web-Based Email Interface
7 
Flat-Panel LCD Monitors
8 
Medical Robotic Surgery System
9 
Electronic Ink Display
10 
Online Review Platforms
The Sounds of
Popular recordings and roots/country selections associated with the year
HEADLINES ON August 19, 1998
Full News Archive
- Headline: Urban Misogyny and Sexual Politics Explored. Impact: The war between the sexes led to the invention of the 'Battle of the Sexes' board game, which, ironically, caused more arguments over who gets to choose the game night movie than actual resolution to gender issues. Thanks, urban misogyny!. Fact: Did you know that many board games were actually invented to distract people from their real-life problems? Just like this headline!.
- Headline: Fishing Retreat in the San Juan Islands. Impact: The Chef's fishing trip inspired a culinary revolution that led to the rise of Instagram food influencers. Now everyone is convinced they can make a gourmet meal just by posting a picture of a salad with the right filter.. Fact: Did you know that fishing is basically just a glorified way to waste time until you can find a good excuse to eat? #CatchAndReleaseYourDiet!.
Wall Street Time Machine
The Right Call: If you'd invested $1,000 in any one of these companies in 1998, here's what the stored 2025 dataset estimates.
Rank #2
AAPL
Apple
Price in 1998
$0.12
2025 dataset value
$2,234,025
Apple - If you invested $1,000 in 1998, it would be worth $2,234,025 today (2234.0x return)
Rank #3
AMZN
Amazon
Price in 1998
$0.25
2025 dataset value
$914,661
Amazon - If you invested $1,000 in 1998, it would be worth $914,661 today (914.7x return)
🦸 Top 5 Comics
The Authority #1
$100
300 #1
$300
Hellboy: The Chained Coffin and Others
$30
Transformers: Generation 2 #12
$165
Inhumans #1
$150
🧸 Top 5 Toys
Furby
$30.00
Pokémon Trading Card Game
$150.00
Bionicle
$300.00
Game Boy Color
$150.00
Beanie Babies
$10.00
🎮 Top 5 Video Games
The Legend of Zelda: Ocarina of Time
$150.00
Half-Life
$140.33
Metal Gear Solid
$45.00
StarCraft
$200.00
Resident Evil 2
$243.85
⚾ Top 5 Trading Cards
1998 Pokémon 1st Edition Charizard Holo
$500,000
1998 Kobe Bryant Skybox Premium Autographics
$2,500
1998 Magic: The Gathering Gaius Cradle
$60,000
1998 Michael Jordan Upper Deck Game Jersey
$2,700,000
1998 One Piece Romance Dawn Promo
$7,000