Dow at 10,000: Then and Now

Photo: (left) Henny Ray Abrams | AFP | Getty Images  (right) Oliver Quillia for CNBC.com With the Dow Jones Industrial Average crossing the 10,000 point mark for the first time since 2008, we wanted to take a peek back in time to compare what America was like the very first time the Dow crossed 10,000 mark (March 29th, 1999) to today.What were some of the most cutting-edge products, who was the highest paid athlete, and what were the hottest topics buzzing around the internet? For these and more comparisons, check out the following slideshow!By Paul ToscanoPosted 14 Oct 2009

Photo: (left) NBC  (right) F Micelotta | American Idol 2009 | Getty Images 1999: Friends, Who Wants To Be a Millionaire (Debut)2009: American Idol

Photo: (left) Apple  (right) AP 1999: iBook G32009: MacBook Air

Photo: (left) AP  (right) AP 1999: Sony CD Walkman2009: Ipod Nano Video

Photo: (left) Getty Images  (right) Getty Images 1999: Sarah Michelle Gellar2009: Cheryl ColeSource: FHM Magazine

Photo: (left) Getty Images  (right) AP 1999: Richard Gere2009:  Hugh Jackman (2008)Source: People Magazine

1999: File sharing service Napster debuts in the summer of 1999.2009: Twitter has been estimated to be worth as much as $1 billion.

Photo: AP 1999: $5.656 trillion (9/30/1999)2009: $11.909 trillion (9/30/2009)Source: Treasury Direct

(left) AP  (right) AP 1999: Britney Spears - Baby One More Time2009: Black Eyed Peas - Boom Boom Pow**Song currently with the most weeks on the top charts while also reaching the #1 spotSource: Billboard

Photo: Real Estate Brokers of Alaska 1999 Q1: $133,3002009 Q2: $174,100Source: National Association of Realtors

Photo: (left) AP  (right) Getty Images 1999: Bill Gates - $90 billion2009: Bill Gates - $50 billionSource: Forbes

Photo: (left) AP  (right) AP 1999:Microsoft (MSFT) - $452.33 billion(3/31/99)2009:ExxonMobil (XOM) - $335.2 billion(10/13/09)

Source: US Dept of Health and Human Services // US Census Bureau // BEA.gov 1999:Nat'l Health Expenditures: $1.265 trillionGDP: $9.125 trillionPercent of GDP: 13.9%2009:Nat'l Health Expenditures: $2.555 trillion (projected)GDP: $14.26 trillion (2008)Percent of GDP: $17.9%

Photo: (left) AP  (right) Getty Image 1999: Shaquille O'Neal - 7 years, $120 million2009: Alex Rodriguez - 10 years, $275 million

Photo: (left) AP (right) Toys 'R Us 1999:Pokemon, Furby and Furby Babies2009:Disney Netpal, Wii Sports ResortSource: Retailers

Source: Motor Trend 1999: Chrysler 300M2009: Nissan GT-R

Photo: (left) AP (right) AP Oct 1999: $1.29/gallonOct 2009: $2.52/gallonSource: Energy Information Administration

Source: Box Office Mojo 1999:Star Wars Episode 1: The Phantom MenaceBox Office Revenues: $924.3 million2009:Harry Potter and the Half-Blood Prince Box Office Revenues: $927.7 million (To Date)

Photo: Amazon.com 1999:Fiction: The Testament by John GrishamNon-Fiction: Tuesdays with Morrie by Mitch Albom2009:Fiction: The Lost Symbol by Dan BrownNon-Fiction: Common Sense by Glenn BeckSource: Publishers Weekly // New York Times

Photo: Getty Images July 1, 1999: 272,690,813Sept 1 2009: 307,327,042Source: US Census Bureau

Photo: (left) AP (right) Nintendo 1999:Pokémon Gold and SilverPlatform: Game BoyReleased: 1999Units Sold: Approx. 23 million2009:Wii Fit (w/ Balance Board)Platform: WiiReleased: May 2008Units sold: 2,434,000Source: NPD Group

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