🧠 Inventions of 2002
Breakthroughs and everyday innovations from the year.
1 
Robotic Vacuum Cleaner
2 
Smartphone with Touch Interface
3 
Web Services APIs
4 
Social Networking Platform (Friendster)
5 
Online Payment Expansion
6 
Wi-Fi Security Standard (WPA)
7 
Digital Audio Streaming
8 
Medical Robotic Surgery Expansion
9 
High-Definition Digital Television
10 
Location-Based Mobile Services
HEADLINES ON January 28, 2002
Full News Archive
- Headline: States Turn to Cigarette Taxes for Revenue. Impact: The ruling on sex offenders sparked a nationwide debate that eventually led to the establishment of 'Sex Offender Awareness Month'. Ironically, it also made sure that every awkward family dinner now includes at least one discussion about 'that guy from down the street'.. Fact: Fun fact: The term 'sex offender' has become so broad that it's practically a catch-all for every awkward encounter you had in high school..
- Headline: New Jersey Supreme Court Deliberates Sex Offender Cases. Impact: Anarchists' wavering taste for conflict during the World Economic Forum inadvertently led to a new trend of 'peaceful protest' yoga classes. Who knew that downward dog could be a political statement?. Fact: Did you know that anarchists are just like everyone else when it comes to avoiding conflict? They have their own 'no drama' policy, too!.
- Headline: Anarchy Has an Image Problem; In the Face of New York Police, Taste for Conflict Wavers. Impact: William Kennedy's nostalgic musings on machine politics not only revived interest in Albany's political history but also inspired a new wave of political novels where the protagonist is always a disgruntled bartender named 'Marty'.. Fact: Did you know that machine politics is just a fancy way of saying 'I know a guy who knows a guy'?.
- Headline: Hometown Boy Makes Waves.
Wall Street Time Machine
The Right Call: If you'd invested $1,000 in any one of these companies in 2002, here's what it would be worth in 2025.
Rank #1
NFLX
Netflix
Price in 2002
$0.12
Value in 2025
$785,671
Netflix - If you invested $1,000 in 2002, it would be worth $785,671 today (785.7x return)
Rank #2
AAPL
Apple
Price in 2002
$0.35
Value in 2025
$779,032
Apple - If you invested $1,000 in 2002, it would be worth $779,032 today (779.0x return)
🦸 Top 5 Comics
The Ultimates #1
$25
Y: The Last Man #1
$300
New X-Men #128
$50.00
The League of Extraordinary Gentlemen Volume 2 #1
$30
Spider-Man: Blue #1
$200
🧸 Top 5 Toys
Beyblade (Metal Series)
$250.00
Yu-Gi-Oh! Trading Card Game
$150.00
LEGO Bionicle
$150.00
Bratz Dolls
$150.00
RoboSapien
$200.00
🎮 Top 5 Video Games
Grand Theft Auto: Vice City
$400.00
Metroid Prime
$22.98
The Elder Scrolls III: Morrowind
$100.00
Kingdom Hearts
$120.00
Battlefield 1942
$50.47
⚾ Top 5 Trading Cards
Yu-Gi-Oh! Legend of Blue Eyes White Dragon 1st Edition Blue-Eyes White Dragon
$10,000
2002 Pokémon Neo Destiny Shining Charizard
$250,000
2002 Topps Chrome Tom Brady Refractor
$200,000
2002 Magic: The Gathering Set Foil Charmed Griffin
$20
2002 FIFA World Cup Ronaldo Panini Sticker
$28,800