The 90s were a turning point for technology. At the start of the decade, most homes had no internet, no mobile phone and no digital music. By the end, millions were online, sending emails, buying things on websites, carrying mobile phones and listening to MP3s. Many of the inventions behind those changes are still part of daily life.
Quick answer
Things invented in the 90s include the public World Wide Web (1991), the first text message (1992), the MP3 audio format, the DVD (1996), USB (1996), Wi-Fi standards (1997), the first portable MP3 players (1998), digital video recorders (1999), and toys like virtual pets and Furby.
Internet and communication
| Invention | Year | Why it mattered |
|---|---|---|
| Public World Wide Web | 1991 | Made the internet accessible to everyone |
| First SMS text message | 1992 | Started the texting era |
| Graphical web browsers | 1993–1994 | Turned the web visual |
| Online shopping sites | Mid 90s | Several big e-commerce companies launched |
| Web-based email | 1996 | Free email in a browser |
| Search engines | Mid–late 90s | Made the web searchable |
| Wi-Fi standard | 1997 | Wireless networking |
Music, video and storage
| Invention | Year | Why it mattered |
|---|---|---|
| MP3 format | Early–mid 90s | Compressed digital music |
| Zip drive | 1994 | Portable storage for large files |
| DVD | 1996 (Japan), 1997 (US) | Replaced VHS for movies |
| USB | 1996 | Universal connector for devices |
| Portable MP3 players | 1998 | Digital music on the go |
| Digital video recorder | 1999 | Pause and record live TV |
| File sharing | 1999 | Changed the music industry |
Gadgets and gaming
Mobile flip phones
Pocket-sized mobiles in the mid 90s.
PDAs
Pocket computers with styluses.
Rumble controllers
Force feedback in your hands.
Analog sticks
Precise 3D movement.
Online console gaming
Arrived in 1999.
Toys
| Toy | Year |
|---|---|
| Beanie Babies | 1993 |
| Bop It | 1996 |
| Tickle Me Elmo | 1996 |
| Virtual pets | 1996 (Japan), 1997 (US) |
| Furby | 1998 |
More in popular 90s toys.
Science and space
Hubble Space Telescope
Launched in 1990.
First cloned mammal
Announced in 1997.
Mars rover landing
July 4, 1997.
International Space Station
First modules launched in 1998.
Fun fact: The first SMS text message, sent in December 1992, simply said "Merry Christmas".
Then (90s)
Separate devices for every task and the first slow steps online.
Now (2027)
Most 90s inventions now live inside a single smartphone.
Conclusion
Things invented in the 90s laid the foundation for modern life: the web, texting, Wi-Fi, digital music and online shopping. Explore the gadgets themselves in 90s tech gadgets.
Frequently asked questions
What was invented in the 90s?
Major 90s inventions and launches include the public World Wide Web (1991), the first text message (1992), the MP3 format, the DVD, USB (1996), Wi-Fi standards (1997), digital video recorders (1999) and many of today's biggest internet companies.
When was the first text message sent?
The first SMS text message was sent in December 1992.
When did the World Wide Web become public?
The World Wide Web became publicly available in 1991.
When did DVDs come out?
DVDs launched in Japan in 1996 and in the US in 1997.
What toys were invented in the 90s?
Toys introduced in the 90s include virtual pets (1996), Furby (1998), Bop It (1996), Tickle Me Elmo (1996) and Beanie Babies (1993).
What was the most important invention of the 90s?
The public World Wide Web is usually considered the most important, because it made the internet accessible to ordinary people.
Sources and further reading
- Wikipedia: World Wide Web (opens in a new tab)
- Wikipedia: SMS (opens in a new tab)
- Wikipedia: DVD (opens in a new tab)
- Wikipedia: USB (opens in a new tab)
- Wikipedia: Wi-Fi (opens in a new tab)
- Wikipedia: MP3 (opens in a new tab)
Dates and facts were checked against these references. Release dates can vary by region; we use North American dates unless noted. Spotted an error? Tell us.