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 28, 2009
Full News Archive
- Headline: Updike's Literary Journey Across America. Impact: Updike's poetic musings inadvertently inspired a future generation of hipsters to use metaphors in their coffee shop conversations, leading to a worldwide shortage of eye-rolls.. Fact: Did you know that Updike once wrote a novel about a rabbit? Maybe he was just trying to get ahead of the impending rabbit shortage from all those hipsters trying to be metaphorical..
- Headline: Surge in Ponzi Schemes Reported. Impact: The rise of mini-Madoffs led to an increase in DIY Ponzi schemes, resulting in a black market for 'How to Lose Friends and Influence No One' guides.. Fact: Fun fact: Ponzi schemes are like potato chips—people just can't have one, and they usually end up making a mess..
- Headline: Obama's Strategic Shift in Afghanistan. Impact: Obama's tougher stance on Karzai sparked a ripple effect, inadvertently leading to the creation of 'War: The Board Game' which became a surprise hit in college dorms.. Fact: Did you know that 'Karzai' rhymes with 'high-five'? Because nothing says diplomacy like a good old-fashioned slap on the back!.
- Headline: Hang Him Up? The Bad Judge and His Image. Impact: The debate over the judge's portrait opened the floodgates for art critics to scrutinize every piece in every courthouse, leading to a nationwide movement for 'Judges Without Faces' to avoid future controversies.. Fact: Did you know that disgraced judges often have portraits that look more pained than a cat in a bathtub? Maybe they should all just opt for abstract art..
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