Inventions & Breakthroughs of September 2002
Gadgets, lab surprises, odd bets, and future-shocks from this slice of the calendar.
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
Popular recordings and roots/country selections associated with the year
HEADLINES ON September 10, 2002
Full News Archive
- Headline: Cantor Fitzgerald's New Union Square Headquarters. Impact: Relocating to Union Square? You know, because nothing says 'financial stability' like setting up shop in a neighborhood known for artisanal avocado toast and overpriced lattes. This move inadvertently sparked a boom in hipster financial advisors who now think they're the next Wolf of Wall Street, but with more flannel.. Fact: Did you know that Union Square was once a site for anti-slavery rallies? Now it's just a place where you can pay $10 for a kale smoothie while contemplating your life choices. Progress?.
- Headline: Impact of Halliburton-Dresser Rand Merger. Impact: The pension shriveling led to a nationwide trend where employees started to hoard their coffee cups for retirement funds. Halliburton's employees inadvertently birthed the 'Frugal Retirement Movement', which encouraged people to save pennies while living off ramen noodles.. Fact: Fun fact: Halliburton's CEO once said, 'We can't make everyone happy, but we can definitely make their retirement dreams disappear.' Sounds like a real-life magic show, doesn't it?.
- Headline: World Business Briefing | Europe: Britain: British Energy Falls. Impact: British Energy's fall catalyzed a global crisis that led to widespread power outages, resulting in the invention of the 'Energy Dance Party' – gatherings where people would dance under the light of candles and their own desperation.. Fact: Did you know that the British Energy market has more ups and downs than a soap opera? If only they could charge admission!.
- Headline: For Survivor, Home Is Still a Hospital. Impact: Deborah's story highlighted the long-lasting effects of trauma that rippled through communities, sparking a national conversation about healthcare and mental health support that is still debated today. Who knew a hospital stay could be the catalyst for a revolution?. Fact: Deborah became a symbol of resilience, but isn't it ironic? She just wanted to go home and binge-watch her favorite shows instead of being the poster child for tragedy..
Wall Street Time Machine
The Right Call: If you'd invested $1,000 in any one of these companies in 2002, here's what the stored 2025 dataset estimates.
Rank #1
NFLX
Netflix
Price in 2002
$0.12
2025 dataset value
$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
2025 dataset value
$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