Inventions & Breakthroughs of December 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 December 17, 2002
Full News Archive
- Headline: NYC Declared Safest Large City in America. Impact: This headline might just be the reason why New Yorkers refuse to believe their city can be anything but a crime-ridden dystopia. It’s like when your friend insists they’re a great cook because they once boiled water without burning it.. Fact: Fun fact: The safest big city in America could also be the best place to lose your wallet—because nobody's around to help you find it!.
- Headline: Top Antitrust Lawyer Joins Simpson Thacher. Impact: This career move might have set off a chain reaction in the legal field, leading to an unprecedented rise in corporate lawyers adopting yoga practices to cope with their soul-crushing existence. Namaste, my billable hours.. Fact: Did you know that lawyers are often seen as the ultimate multitaskers? They can argue both sides of a case while simultaneously charging you for their time..
- Headline: The Spirit And the Body, Two Unwhole. Impact: This review may have inspired countless opera enthusiasts to brave the crowds and discover the emotional depths of classical music—thus sparking a new trend of people weeping openly in public spaces.. Fact: Did you know that opera singers can hit notes so high that they can shatter glass? It's the only time your grandma's advice about not singing too loudly might actually be a good idea..
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