Inventions & Breakthroughs of December 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 December 28, 1999
Full News Archive
- Headline: Gore's Campaign Challenges by Bradley. Impact: Gore's campaign crash against Bradley was like a cosmic game of pinball, where the ball ricocheted off various political factions, leading to the rise of quirky third-party candidates. Who knew that a glass backboard could cause such a seismic shift in American politics?. Fact: Did you know that Al Gore's campaign was so 'inevitable' that it was practically a political prophecy? Spoiler alert: the prophecy was wrong..
- Headline: Jets' Stunning Win Over Dolphins. Impact: The Jets beating the Dolphins not only made Marino second-best, but also sparked a rivalry that would inspire countless sitcom episodes and late-night sports rants. Because nothing says teamwork like a bunch of grown men in tights chasing a ball.. Fact: Did you know that the New York Jets' victory was so shocking that it made Dolphins fans consider therapy? Just kidding—who needs therapy when you have denial?.
- Headline: Picking Up Loose Ends Of the Law. Impact: Preston King’s quest to void his draft evasion conviction is like trying to erase a permanent marker from your favorite shirt—messy and a little bit tragic. This legal drama not only affected King but also set a precedent for future cases, ensuring that people would continue fighting their past mistakes long after they were relevant.. Fact: Did you know that legal battles are the adult version of 'he said, she said'? Except with higher stakes and less fun..
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