Inventions & Breakthroughs of January 2009
Gadgets, lab surprises, odd bets, and future-shocks from this slice of the calendar.
1 
Cryptocurrency (Bitcoin)
2 
Mobile Voice Assistant
3 
Cloud Database Services
4 
4G LTE Networks
5 
Smartphone Camera Improvements
6 
Online Streaming Subscriptions
7 
Digital Navigation with Real-Time Traffic
8 
Virtual Reality Headset Prototype
9 
Social Media Mobile Apps
10 
Digital Payment Wallet
The Sounds of
Popular recordings and roots/country selections associated with the year
HEADLINES ON January 8, 2009
Full News Archive
- Headline: The Mustache Revival of 2023. Impact: This mustache resurgence led to a 10% increase in barbershop visits, causing a nationwide shortage of mustache wax and inadvertently igniting a hipster revolution that forever altered the coffee shop landscape.. Fact: Did you know that mustaches have been associated with great thinkers throughout history? So, really, it’s just a matter of time before we see mustache-themed philosophy books..
- Headline: Ehud Barak's Surging Popularity Amid Conflict. Impact: Ehud Barak's popularity skyrocketed, leading to a bizarre reality show where politicians compete to see who can dodge conflict the longest—cue the awkwardness of the political landscape.. Fact: Did you know that politicians have historically benefited from wars? It's like a macabre game of musical chairs, but instead of chairs, it's power and popularity..
- Headline: China Cuts U.S. Debt Investments. Impact: As China keeps its cash close, the U.S. starts a 'Let's Make Debt Great Again' campaign that involves a lot of flag waving and taking out loans from the Tooth Fairy.. Fact: Did you know that the U.S. once had a surplus? It was a long time ago, like when dinosaurs roamed the Earth. Or at least before the last economic crisis..
- Headline: Eloping to Vegas? Why Not Lower Manhattan?. Impact: The newfound elopement trend in Lower Manhattan turns into a full-blown wedding craze, causing a shortage of tiny tuxedos and leading to the first-ever 'Elopement Olympics' where couples compete to see who can get hitched the fastest.. Fact: Did you know that Las Vegas is often called the 'Wedding Capital of the World'? But now, with Lower Manhattan in the mix, we might need a wedding map..
Wall Street Time Machine
The Right Call: If you'd invested $1,000 in any one of these companies in 2009, here's what the stored 2025 dataset estimates.
Rank #3
NFLX
Netflix
Price in 2009
$0.43
2025 dataset value
$220,288
Netflix - If you invested $1,000 in 2009, it would be worth $220,288 today (220.3x return)
🦸 Top 5 Comics
Detective Comics #854
$25
Batman and Robin #1
$42,000
Chew #1
$50
Captain America: Reborn #1
$25
The Walking Dead #60
$75
🧸 Top 5 Toys
Bakugan Battle Brawlers
$50.00
Zhu Zhu Pets
$50.00
Lego Games
$300.00
Beyblade: Metal Fusion
$150.00
Mindflex
$75.00
🎮 Top 5 Video Games
Uncharted 2: Among Thieves
$55.00
Call of Duty: Modern Warfare 2
$50.00
Assassin's Creed II
$40.00
Minecraft
$150.00
Batman: Arkham Asylum
$200.00
⚾ Top 5 Trading Cards
2009 Bowman Chrome Draft Mike Trout Autograph
$46,800
2009 Topps UFC Round 1 Brock Lesnar Autograph
$1,200
2009 Panini Crown Royale Tom Brady Autograph
$240,000
2009 Pokémon Platinum Arceus Holo
$1,500
2009 Topps Chrome Stephen Curry Rookie Card
$1,888.00