🧠 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
The Sounds of
The biggest hits of the year — Top 10 Pop & Country chart toppers
HEADLINES ON July 21, 2002
Full News Archive
- Headline: Robert Evans: Hollywood's Legendary Producer. Impact: If Robert Evans hadn't thrown that party, who knows how many Hollywood blockbusters might have never been greenlit, resulting in a universe where cinema is dominated by endless reality shows and cat videos. Thanks, Robert.. Fact: Did you know that Robert Evans once said, 'There are no rules, just results'? Which is a fantastic motto for both filmmaking and avoiding adult responsibilities..
- Headline: Civilian Casualties in U.S. Air Campaign. Impact: The airstrikes inadvertently gave rise to a generation of activists and even more high-tech weaponry. Who knew that a few hundred civilian casualties could lead to whole new industries in drone technology and humanitarian aid? Talk about unintended consequences!. Fact: Did you know that in the realm of 'whoopsies,' this air campaign is like the ultimate blooper reel? Next time, maybe we should just stick to laser tag..
- Headline: Ideas & Trends: Look Out; Citizen Snoops Wanted (Call Toll-Free). Impact: Encouraging citizen snoops to report on neighbors set the stage for future reality shows where everyone gets to be the judge, jury, and executioner of social norms. Welcome to the age of surveillance, where your neighbor's cat is now a potential terrorist.. Fact: Did you know that the phrase 'If you see something, say something' was originally just a suggestion to not talk during movies? How times have changed!.
- Headline: Waiting in the Wings: A Small Step for Gender Equality. Impact: The addition of 20 stalls in the ladies' room marked a turning point in gender equality. It led to a chain reaction where women demanded more rights, and men started feeling the pressure to, you know, just exist without monopolizing the bathroom.. Fact: Did you know that the first women's restroom was invented in 1852, and it took over a century for men to realize that maybe they don't need to hog all the stalls? Progress, folks!.
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