Inventions & Breakthroughs of November 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 November 24, 2002
Full News Archive
- Headline: Islamists and Democracy in Turkey. Impact: The success or failure of Abdullah Gul's party in Turkey might just be the reason why your cousin from college is now an expert on Middle Eastern politics. Who knew a party trying to blend Islam with democracy would send ripples through social media debates for decades?. Fact: Fun fact: Turkey is often considered a bridge between East and West. Which is ironic, because they can’t seem to agree on the bridge’s design!.
- Headline: Exploring Solaris: A Cinematic Journey. Impact: If Soderbergh's 'Solaris' had bombed, we might never have seen the rise of existential crisis films that dominate indie cinema today. Thanks, George Clooney, for making us question our existence while watching pretty people float around in space.. Fact: Did you know that the original 'Solaris' film from 1972 features a lot less George Clooney and a lot more existential dread? Who knew we were craving glam in our philosophy?.
- Headline: Doing Unto Others in a Big Way. Impact: The quid pro quo system in New York ensures that favors are traded like Pokémon cards, which could explain why your neighbor's kid is suddenly going to an Ivy League school while you struggle to get your cat into a vet. The balance of power is real!. Fact: Did you know that in New York, 'doing unto others' often means 'doing unto others for a favor'? It’s like a never-ending game of Monopoly, but with more backroom deals!.
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