Inventions & Breakthroughs of August 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 August 14, 2001
Full News Archive
- Headline: Brazil Lifts Airfare Caps to Support Airlines. Impact: By lifting fare caps, Brazil inadvertently set off a series of events leading to the rise of budget airlines worldwide. Who knew that cheap flights could lead to overpriced airport snacks?. Fact: Did you know that budget airlines often charge extra for breathing? Well, not really, but you might as well pack your own air just in case!.
- Headline: UK's Advances in Stem Cell Research. Impact: The advancements in stem cell research in Britain created a ripple that would eventually lead to an era where people argue over the ethics of splicing their genes for cosmetic purposes. 'I just wanted to be taller!'. Fact: Did you know that stem cell research could lead to the creation of your own mini-me? Because who wouldn't want a tiny version of themselves to blame for their bad decisions?.
- Headline: World Business Briefing | Europe: Britain: Bid For Pubs Fails. Impact: The failed bid for pubs caused a massive increase in DIY pub culture, resulting in the creation of homebrewing kits and the infamous 'kitchen sink pub'. Cheers to that!. Fact: Did you know that the only thing worse than a failed pub bid is a pub that serves cocktails with sparkling water? Because sometimes you just need your gin to taste like sadness..
- Headline: Inner Child, Why Are You Angry?. Impact: Ben Ratliff's review sparked an underground movement of metal band enthusiasts who decided that if Mudvayne could do it, so could they. Welcome to the 'I Can't Sing But I'll Scream Into a Mic' club.. Fact: Did you know that Ozzfest attendance is considered a rite of passage for metalheads? It's like a summer camp but with more leather and less singing 'Kumbaya'..
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