Inventions & Breakthroughs of September 1999
Gadgets, lab surprises, odd bets, and future-shocks from this slice of the calendar.
1 
Smartphone Platform
2 
Wi-Fi Standard Expansion (802.11b)
3 
Online Payment Platform
4 
Search Engine Advertising Model
5 
MP3 Player Ecosystem
6 
Peer-to-Peer File Sharing
7 
Digital Video Recorder (DVR)
8 
Voice over IP Services
9 
Location-Based Services
10 
Online Gaming Platforms
The Sounds of
Popular recordings and roots/country selections associated with the year
HEADLINES ON September 19, 1999
Full News Archive
- Headline: Love Across Generations in NYC. Impact: The heartwarming bond between Mary and Joan led to an unexpected increase in demand for caregivers, sparking a nationwide trend of elderly folks adopting their caretakers as honorary family members. This ultimately resulted in the establishment of the 'Caregiver Appreciation Month,' which coincidentally falls in the same month as National Pizza Month—because who doesn't want to celebrate with a slice?. Fact: Did you know that the average age of a caregiver is around 50? So, if you're looking for a career change, there’s still hope for your 40-something self!.
- Headline: Targeting U.N. Workers: A Growing Concern. Impact: The targeting of UN workers led to a major rethink in global humanitarian strategies, eventually resulting in the creation of an elite task force known as the 'UN Avengers,' who now protect aid workers in the most dangerous areas. All they need now is a catchy theme song.. Fact: Did you know that the UN was founded in 1945? That’s right—back when people thought peacekeeping was just a game of dodgeball!.
Wall Street Time Machine
The Right Call: If you'd invested $1,000 in any one of these companies in 1999, here's what the stored 2025 dataset estimates.
Rank #2
AAPL
Apple
Price in 1999
$0.31
2025 dataset value
$880,068
Apple - If you invested $1,000 in 1999, it would be worth $880,068 today (880.1x return)
🦸 Top 5 Comics
Batman: Harley Quinn #1
$35.00
The Authority #1
$75
Planetary #1
$1,200
Star Wars: Episode I - The Phantom Menace #1
$200
Bluntman and Chronic #1
$15
🧸 Top 5 Toys
LEGO Star Wars Sets
$150.00
Pokemon Trading Card Game
$150.00
Furby
$30.00
Razor Scooter
$150.00
Beyblade
$700.00
🎮 Top 5 Video Games
Super Smash Bros.
$500.00
Silent Hill
$147.48
Age of Empires II: The Age of Kings
$750.00
Final Fantasy VIII
$200.00
Tony Hawk's Pro Skater
$200.00
⚾ Top 5 Trading Cards
1999 Pokémon Base Set 1st Edition Charizard Holo #4
$1,655
1999 Bandai Dragon Ball Z Japanese Prism Card #PP-06 (Son Goku Super Saiyan)
Unknown
1999 Sports Illustrated for Kids Tiger Woods #536
$20,400
1999 Wizards of the Coast Magic: The Gathering 'Urza's Legacy' Foil Grim Monolith
$250
1999 Pokémon Japanese Promo Tropical Mega Battle Tropical Wind
$65,100