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 31, 2002
Full News Archive
- Headline: Italy's Urgent Call for Fiat Support. Impact: Berlusconi's plea for Fiat funds led to a series of questionable decisions that resulted in the rise of Italian reality TV. If only he had asked for more spaghetti instead.. Fact: Did you know that Berlusconi's political career was so colorful that it could rival a box of crayons? He was practically the Picasso of Italian politics!.
- Headline: Yankees Sign Clemens for 1999 Season. Impact: Clemens signing with the Yankees created a ripple effect that led to the eventual rise of overpriced sports memorabilia. Now fans pay $1,000 for a signed napkin because, apparently, a signature is worth its weight in gold.. Fact: Fun fact: Clemens' pitching is so legendary that even his shadow has an entire fan club. They meet monthly for shadow puppet shows..
- Headline: Debating Moderate Alcohol Consumption Benefits. Impact: The moderate drinking debate sparked a culinary revolution, as wine-tasting events evolved into 'health seminars' where participants pretended to be connoisseurs while actually just trying to get tipsy.. Fact: Did you know that the 'in moderation' part is often ignored? Turns out, heavy drinking is only bad for you if you can't balance your wine glass on your head..
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