Inventions & Breakthroughs of December 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 December 24, 2009
Full News Archive
- Headline: Managing Holiday Gift Overload. Impact: The overabundance of gifts led to a shortage of reindeer, which resulted in Santa's sleigh being grounded for repairs. This caused a global crisis where children started to behave better to ensure Santa could fly again, thereby reducing the overall amount of coal produced in the world.. Fact: Did you know that if Santa had to deliver gifts via drone, he would have to file for FAA clearance? Just imagine the paperwork!.
- Headline: Richard Simmons Back in Beverly Hills Classes. Impact: Richard Simmons sweating in Beverly Hills became a catalyst for the rise of sweatpants as a fashion statement. This eventually led to the pandemic of 'athleisure,' where people wear workout clothes without ever working out. Thanks, Richard!. Fact: Fun fact: Richard Simmons once tried to start a line of workout gear that doubled as formal wear. It flopped spectacularly—because nothing says 'I’m ready for the gym!' like a sequined tuxedo..
- Headline: The Damsel's Shift in Allure. Impact: The shift from ruffles to a tougher allure sparked a global movement that influenced fashion trends for decades. By 2030, all clothing was made out of Kevlar, leading to an unexpected rise in fashion-conscious superheroes.. Fact: Did you know that the toughest allure was once a well-tailored suit? That’s right, the 80s were the original gritty era of tough fashion—shoulder pads and all!.
- Headline: Chilly Climate for Oil Refiners. Impact: The crisis among oil refiners triggered the Great Alternative Energy Rush of the 2020s, leading to innovative solutions such as solar-powered everything. This ultimately resulted in a highly competitive market for solar panels shaped like everything from cats to pizza.. Fact: Did you know that in 2022, a solar panel shaped like a slice of pizza became the hottest new trend? It didn’t generate much power, but it did generate a lot of Instagram likes!.
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