🧠 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 December 6, 2002
Full News Archive
- Headline: United Airlines Financial Turmoil Explained. Impact: United Airlines' financial woes led to a butterfly effect where every other airline decided to start charging for snacks, leading to a world where flying is as enjoyable as a trip to the DMV. Thanks, United!. Fact: Fun fact: In the world of flying, 'Revenue is Crucial' is just corporate-speak for 'We're charging you for your carry-on luggage now, and it's going to be more expensive than your last vacation.'.
- Headline: Fiat Job Cuts Spark Union Protests. Impact: Fiat’s job cuts not only impacted thousands of workers but also fueled a surge in Italian pasta consumption. Nothing soothes the soul like carbs when you're facing unemployment!. Fact: Did you know that Fiat actually stands for 'Fabbrica Italiana Automobili Torino'? Because why not have a name that sounds like a mouthful when you’re about to lay off thousands?.
- Headline: Endangered Noble Species Takes a Fling On a Dream. Impact: The revival of 'Man of La Mancha' sparked a global obsession with musicals, leading to an increase in karaoke nights where everyone thinks they're a star. Spoiler alert: they're not.. Fact: Did you know that 'Man of La Mancha' is about a man who thinks he’s a knight? Sounds a lot like the delusions of many auditioning for musicals—dream big, folks!.
- Headline: SICK AT SEA/An Outbreak and a Mystery; Virus Rattles Cruise Industry and Health Officials. Impact: The cruise industry’s viral outbreak led to the invention of hand sanitizer being mistaken for a cocktail, causing a generation to associate cleanliness with fun. Cheers to that!. Fact: Did you know that the Norwalk virus is basically the cruise ship's version of a surprise party? Except instead of cake, you get gastrointestinal distress—surprise!.
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