🧠 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 May 19, 2002
Full News Archive
- Headline: New Jobs Surge in NYC Post-Pandemic. Impact: The job increase of 7,000 in NYC kicked off a domino effect of optimism that led to a coffee shop on every corner and a rise in artisanal avocado toast. By 2023, the city had more cafes than jobs.. Fact: Funny how the phrase 'Did Somebody Say Recovery?' is often followed by 'Just kidding!' in the history of economic analysis..
- Headline: United Voices: Tricaucus Retreat on Capitol Hill. Impact: This tricaucus retreat was so groundbreaking that it sparked a century-long series of gatherings, leading to the invention of the term 'awkward silence' in political discourse.. Fact: It's said that the first meeting was mostly just people awkwardly avoiding eye contact and asking about each other's favorite tacos..
- Headline: U.S. INTERCEPTING MESSAGES HINTING AT A NEW ATTACK. Impact: The intercepted messages set off a chain reaction of intelligence improvements, leading to the creation of high-tech spy gadgets that would eventually end up in a James Bond movie. Because of course, that's where all great ideas go to die.. Fact: Did you know that intercepting messages is considered the 'Netflix and chill' of espionage? Both require a lot of waiting and some level of secrecy..
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