Inventions & Breakthroughs of May 2001
Gadgets, lab surprises, odd bets, and future-shocks from this slice of the calendar.
1 
Portable Music Player (iPod)
2 
Wi-Fi Public Hotspots
3 
Online Encyclopedia (Wikipedia)
4 
3G Mobile Networks
5 
Cloud Computing Concept
6 
Digital Video Compression (H.264)
7 
Online Photo Sharing
8 
Instant Messaging Platforms
9 
Tablet Computer Concept
10 
Satellite Broadband Internet
The Sounds of
Popular recordings and roots/country selections associated with the year
HEADLINES ON May 13, 2001
Full News Archive
- Headline: Chrysler Sebring Convertible Review Insights. Impact: The Chrysler Sebring convertible may have been just a car, but its popularity among the summer-loving crowd caused a spike in sunscreen sales and ultimately led to the invention of the 'tan line awareness' campaign. Thanks a lot, Chrysler!. Fact: Did you know the Sebring was named after a place famous for car racing? Ironically, it never won any races for popularity among car enthusiasts!.
- Headline: Worst in Show. Impact: The rise of mixed-breed dogs as a celebrity status symbol may have inadvertently led to the creation of 'designer mutts,' resulting in an entirely new canine fashion industry. Next stop: Paris Fashion Week... for dogs!. Fact: Did you know that mixed-breed dogs were once considered 'just mutts' and now they’re the trendiest pets? Talk about a rags-to-riches story!.
- Headline: Seniors Fuel Growth Spurt on Cape Cod. Impact: The senior-fueled growth spurt on Cape Cod might have sparked a nationwide trend in retirement hotspots, leading to every beach town becoming a haven for bingo enthusiasts and early bird specials. Welcome to the Golden Years, folks!. Fact: Did you know that Cape Cod was originally popular for its fishing industry? Now it's just a fancy name for 'Where the retirees go to outlive their bingo cards.'.
Wall Street Time Machine
The Right Call: If you'd invested $1,000 in any one of these companies in 2001, here's what the stored 2025 dataset estimates.
Rank #3
AAPL
Apple
Price in 2001
$0.22
2025 dataset value
$1,220,264
Apple - If you invested $1,000 in 2001, it would be worth $1,220,264 today (1220.3x return)
🦸 Top 5 Comics
Amazing Spider-Man #36
$200
Ultimate Spider-Man #1
$50
Batman: The Dark Knight Strikes Again #1
$50
Y: The Last Man #1
$150
American Gods #1
$25
🧸 Top 5 Toys
LEGO BIONICLE
$150.00
Nintendo Game Boy Advance
$540.00
Harry Potter Movie Merchandise (Action Figures)
$120.00
Bratz Dolls
$150.00
Yu-Gi-Oh! Trading Card Game
$100.00
🎮 Top 5 Video Games
Halo: Combat Evolved
$100.00
Grand Theft Auto III
$200.00
Super Smash Bros. Melee
$74.00
Final Fantasy X
$200.00
Metal Gear Solid 2: Sons of Liberty
$25.00
⚾ Top 5 Trading Cards
Yu-Gi-Oh! Legend of Blue Eyes White Dragon - 1st Edition Blue-Eyes White Dragon
$10,000
2001 Topps Chrome Traded #T247 Ichiro Suzuki Rookie Card
$471
2001 Upper Deck Tiger Woods #1 Rookie Card
$25,100
2001 Pokémon Neo Revelation 1st Edition Holo Houndoom #8
$1,200
2001 SP Authentic Michael Jordan #MM1 Auto Jersey
$40,000