Buzz
Although we’re just a quarter into the 21st century, the world has witnessed remarkable progress in areas spanning entertainment, technology, and beyond. From the rise of legendary franchises to scientific breakthroughs that have seamlessly integrated into our lives, here are 25 standout contributions from the year 2000. Prepare for a nostalgic journey back to the Y2K era.
Camera Phone
Today, it’s hard to imagine a time when snapping photos with friends or capturing quirky moments with your pet wasn’t just a phone tap away. However, such convenience wasn’t a reality before the year 2000.
The Sharp J-SH04, launched in November 2000, marked the debut of a fully integrated camera phone. It combined a camera with messaging capabilities, enabling users to effortlessly share photos via their cellular network. Marketed as “Sha-Mail,” derived from the Japanese term Shashin, meaning “photograph,” it revolutionized mobile communication.
While Samsung’s SCH-V200 is often recognized as an early camera phone, it lacked full integration. Users had to transfer images to a computer to view them, missing the instant sharing feature that defines a true camera phone.
USB Flash Drive
Whether you call it a thumb drive, flash drive, or memory stick, this innovation transformed data storage and transfer. Trek 2000 unveiled the USB-powered device at a German trade fair in 2000, branding it the ThumbDrive. Its combination of flash memory and intuitive design swiftly made it a global standard, replacing outdated floppy disks.
However, the story takes a bittersweet turn. Despite its groundbreaking success, Trek faced fierce competition and widespread imitation. Rivals like IBM and Netac staked claims to similar inventions, and Trek’s legal efforts to defend its patents yielded limited success. By 2021, global thumb drive sales surpassed $7 billion, yet Trek continued to face financial challenges.
How The Grinch Stole Christmas
This beloved film, which has warmed the hearts of millions—even those three sizes too small—premiered in 2000. It became a massive box-office success, earning an impressive $345,141,403.
Filming was no easy feat: Turning Carrey into the Grinch was an arduous process, taking over two and a half hours daily and causing physical discomfort. “I went back to my trailer, put my leg through the wall, and told Ron Howard I couldn’t do the movie,” Carrey once admitted. To cope, he underwent endurance training to withstand the demanding hair and makeup routine.
Heelys, Inc.
While they might seem cringe-worthy today, Heelys were the ultimate symbol of cool for kids in their heyday. The concept began in 1999 when Roger Adams had a bold idea: sneakers with wheels. Drawing inspiration from roller sports and Huntington Beach’s skate culture, he modified a sneaker by adding a skateboard wheel, giving birth to Heelys. Heeling Sports Limited, later renamed Heelys, Inc., was established in May 2000, the same year the first Heelys shoes were released.
Sadly, the enthusiasm and popularity surrounding Heelys dwindled by the close of the aughts. The company eventually filed for bankruptcy, and although Heelys are still available today, they never regained their former glory or sales figures.
The Segway
When it comes to wheels, humanity has a knack for inventing unique modes of transportation. In 2000, the Segway human transporter emerged as another innovative way to get around.
The excitement surrounding the Segway was immense. Steve Jobs predicted it would be “as significant as the PC,” and even South Park dedicated an episode to mocking the hype. However, the product wasn’t without risks: One study revealed that Segway-related injuries were surprisingly common, with emergency room admissions for Segway accidents surpassing those for pedestrians hit by cars. Tragically, the company’s owner died from injuries sustained in a Segway accident. Riders are strongly advised to always wear a helmet.
The First-Ever International Space Station Crew
On November 2, 2000, scientific history was forever changed as the Expedition 1 crew became the first inhabitants of the International Space Station. Two days after launching from Kazakhstan, they successfully docked their Soyuz spacecraft, bringing the station to life and transforming it into a fully operational orbital habitat. This groundbreaking mission lasted 141 days, proving that maintaining a continuous human presence in space was indeed possible. (Spoiler: It worked.)
Parachutes
Coldplay’s debut album, Parachutes, debuted in 2000, offering a refreshing contrast to the era’s dominant nu-metal and polished pop. The album stood out for its vulnerability and understated elegance, resonating deeply with listeners. Even today, over two decades later, hits like “Yellow” remain staples in department stores and on radio playlists.
405: The Movie
While other videos from 2000 could vie for the title of “first viral video,” 405: The Movie holds a special place in digital history. It demonstrated how independent filmmakers could leverage the internet to bring their visions to life without traditional backing. Bruce Branit and Jeremy Hunt, using their self-taught skills and a modest $300 budget, created a film that garnered millions of views years before YouTube’s existence.
PlayStation 2
The release of the PlayStation 2 marked a groundbreaking moment in gaming history. Launched on October 26, 2000, it became the best-selling console of all time. Its built-in DVD drive not only revolutionized gaming but also introduced millions to the world of digital media, acting as a gateway to the booming home video market. Additionally, its internet connectivity foreshadowed the rise of online gaming.
The Duke and I
Published in 2000, The Duke and I brought the Bridgerton family to life. This historical romance novel, the first in Julia Quinn’s Bridgerton series, chronicles the love story of Daphne Bridgerton and Simon Basset. The tale’s popularity soared even higher with the debut of Netflix’s adaptation in December 2020, ensuring Daphne and the Duke’s story remains timeless.
Millennium Force
If you’ve visited Cedar Point in Sandusky, Ohio, you understand the significance of the Millennium Force. When this rollercoaster debuted in 2000, it shattered five world records. Standing over 300 feet tall, it required a new classification, leading to the term giga coaster.
With a top speed of 93 mph, Millennium Force has been crowned the number one steel roller coaster 10 times. While newer coasters have surpassed it in height and speed, it remains one of the tallest and fastest in the world.
The E-Book
E-books are now widely accessible and popular, but this wasn’t always the case. Simon & Schuster took a significant risk by developing Stephen King’s novella Riding The Bullet into the first mass-market e-book.
The novella’s success was uncertain—priced at just $2.50, it was a gamble. However, it was downloaded over 400,000 times in 24 hours, crashing SoftLock’s servers due to overwhelming demand. Despite technical issues, including encryption failures, Riding the Bullet surpassed half a million downloads, proving the untapped potential of digital books.
Hollister Co.
The brand’s aesthetic has transformed over the years. | Jaimie Trueblood/GettyImagesHollister Co., a definitive pioneer of Y2K fashion, launched its first store in 2000. Despite clear evidence pointing to 2000 as its founding year, the company has perpetuated a fictional backstory since its inception, asserting its origins date back to 1922. This fabricated narrative includes the tale of a non-existent founder, John Hollister senior.
The Sims
On February 4, 2000, The Sims, a game developed by SimCity designer Will Wright, was released. It offered players a “sandbox” experience, allowing them to manage every detail of their Sims’ lives. Originally conceived as a virtual dollhouse, it evolved into a rich simulation of human relationships and consumer culture. Despite Electronic Arts’ modest expectations, The Sims became the top-selling PC game in 2000 and 2001, leading to numerous expansions and sequels.
Scary Movie
Opinions on the Scary Movie franchise vary, but its 2000 debut undeniably pioneered a new genre. The film, a slasher parody titled Scary Movie, blended horror and comedy—two genres rarely paired. Its success led to four sequels, cementing its place in pop culture.
The Podcast
The precursor to modern podcasts emerged in 2000 when i2Go launched MyAudio2Go.com, a service allowing users to download news stories to MP3 players or PCs. Though short-lived—i2Go closed in 2001—it laid the foundation for podcasting. By 2004, the term podcast gained traction, popularized by an article in The Guardian, marking a shift in how we engage with audio content.
Big Brother
The early 2000s marked a golden era for reality TV, with audiences craving unscripted drama. This demand led to the creation of a show that placed strangers in a house, challenging them to navigate a high-stakes social game for a cash prize.
Big Brother premiered in July 2000, running for 88 days. Inspired by a Dutch series, which drew from George Orwell’s Nineteen Eighty-Four, the U.S. version of Big Brother remains popular, with its 27th season set for summer 2025.
Razor Scooters
Razor scooters became an instant hit upon their 2000 debut, selling 5 million units in just six months. While Razor didn’t invent the scooter, they revolutionized and popularized its design. The original creator remains unknown, overshadowed by Razor’s massive success.
Google AdWords
For the average internet user, the rise of online ads might feel like a nuisance, but for marketers, the 2000 launch of Google AdWords was a game-changer.
The system was straightforward: advertisers competed for ad placements through bids based on impressions, with the highest bidder securing the prime spot. Concepts like Quality Score and spam controls weren’t yet in play, but in its inaugural year, Google AdWords raked in $70 million. Today, it continues to thrive under the name Google Ads.
Oops!... I Did It Again
Britney Spears dropped her second studio album, Oops!… I Did It Again, in May 2000. Packed with chart-toppers like the title track, “Lucky,” and “Stronger,” the album debuted at number one on the Billboard 200, selling an impressive 1.3 million copies in its first week. This sales record stood unchallenged until Adele’s 25 surpassed it in 2015.
The First Draft of the Human Genome
The Human Genome Project stands as one of science’s greatest achievements. Its mission was to sequence the entire human genome, paving the way for breakthroughs in medicine and biotechnology. Launched in 1990, the project reached a major milestone in 2000 when the International Human Genome Sequencing Consortium unveiled its first draft, covering 90 percent of the genome. This achievement fueled the project’s momentum, leading to its eventual completion years later.
ASOS
ASOS, the global online fashion giant, has evolved significantly since its UK debut in 2000. Originally named As Seen on Screen, the company specialized in replicating clothing and accessories worn by celebrities in films and TV shows.
iStock
If you’ve ever searched for stock images, chances are you’ve come across iStock. Launched in May 2000 as iStockphoto, the company was acquired by Getty Images six years later but remains a go-to resource for purchasing stock imagery.
Bring It On
The creators of the 2000 film Bring It On struck gold with this teen comedy. Starring Kirsten Dunst and Gabrielle Union as rival cheer captains, the movie debuted at number one at the box office and grossed over $90 million. It also spawned a franchise that, as of December 2024, includes seven films. Interestingly, the movie was initially conceived as a documentary about competitive cheerleading, but a lack of studio interest led writer Jessica Bendinger to reimagine it as a fictional story.
Charles Schulz’s Last Peanuts Comic Strip
Charles Schulz, the creator of the iconic Peanuts comic strip, announced his retirement in January 2000 due to declining health. He passed away on February 12, and his final Peanuts strip was published the following day. It featured a heartfelt farewell message: “I have been grateful over the years for the loyalty of our editors and the wonderful support and love expressed to me by fans of the comic strip. Charlie Brown, Snoopy, Onus, Lucy … how can I ever forget them …” he wrote.
