Inventions & Breakthroughs of November 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 November 20, 1999
Full News Archive
- Headline: Bush Critiques Clinton's Foreign Policy. Impact: If Bush had just kept his mouth shut, we might have avoided that awkward moment in 2020 when Vladimir Putin showed up at a Texas BBQ looking for a buddy. Thanks, George!. Fact: Did you know that the only thing more confusing than U.S. foreign policy is trying to figure out which Bush is which? It's like a political version of 'Where's Waldo?'.
- Headline: Nets Seek Inspiration Amid Ongoing Struggles. Impact: The Nets' struggle for inspiration led to a series of questionable mascot choices, including a dancing hot dog that was way too enthusiastic for its own good. Thanks, Nets!. Fact: Did you know that the New Jersey Nets were once known for their impressive ability to lose? It's like they were determined to redefine the term 'basketball season.'.
- Headline: Snag in a Deal To End Tenure For Principals. Impact: This little hiccup over tenure changes in NYC schools sparked a nationwide debate that somehow ended with teachers being asked to moonlight as Uber drivers. Brilliant!. Fact: Did you know that changing tenure rules is like trying to change the rules of Monopoly? Spoiler alert: it ends badly, and someone flips the board!.
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