🧠 Inventions of 1999
Breakthroughs and everyday innovations from the year.
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
The biggest hits of the year — Top 10 Pop & Country chart toppers
HEADLINES ON December 21, 1999
Full News Archive
- Headline: Vince Carter: Raptors' Flamboyant Star. Impact: Vince Carter's success inspires a generation of basketball players to dunk from the free-throw line, eventually leading to an NBA rule change that requires players to wear capes. This results in the rise of superhero-themed basketball leagues, which the world never knew it needed.. Fact: Vince Carter is not just an acrobat but also secretly trained to be a circus performer. He juggled flaming torches before opting for a basketball career..
- Headline: McCain vs. Bush: A South Carolina Showdown. Impact: The South Carolina primary turns into a gladiatorial arena for politicians, leading to the bizarre trend of political debates being held in actual coliseums. This culminates in a future where candidates must wear togas to win votes. Who needs policies when you have fashion?. Fact: The South Carolina primary has witnessed more melodrama than a soap opera. You’d think the stakes were a family heirloom passed down through generations..
- Headline: He's Still An Institute You Can't Disparage. Impact: The musical revue 'Our Sinatra' sparks a global renaissance of Sinatra impersonators, causing a massive spike in demand for fedora hats and classic cocktails. This cultural revival leads to a bizarre moment where millennials start using vinyl records as coasters.. Fact: Frank Sinatra’s music is so timeless that it has been scientifically proven to make even the most mundane tasks slightly more glamorous. Doing dishes? Just put on some Ol' Blue Eyes and watch the magic happen!.
- Headline: Russia Votes, Like It or Not. Impact: Putin’s hawkish election victory creates a ripple effect where future elections worldwide are influenced by strongman tactics, leading to a worldwide trend of 'might makes right' in politics. This ultimately results in an annual 'Strongman Pageant' where world leaders compete in feats of strength.. Fact: Russian elections have more suspense than a thriller novel. Sometimes you even wonder if you should bring popcorn when you tune in to watch..
Wall Street Time Machine
The Right Call: If you'd invested $1,000 in any one of these companies in 1999, here's what it would be worth in 2025.
Rank #2
AAPL
Apple
Price in 1999
$0.31
Value in 2025
$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