Thanks to the miracle of compound interest, stock splits, and bumper dividends, your parents could have set you up for life, or at the very least given you a significant headstart, had they invested in the right shares the year you were born, as long as they were prepared to be patient and hold on to the position. Click or scroll through the sensational returns you could have got from a prime stock (or in some cases another investment) for each year from 1940 to 2002, based on an initial investment of $1,000 ($18,600/£15,100 in today's money). All dollar values in US dollars.

Fresh from the success of Snow White and the Seven Dwarfs, the animation studio's first feature-length picture, Disney issued 600,000 shares on 8 March 1940 priced at $5 a pop. A $1,000 investment would have bought 200 shares at the time. Fast-forward to 2020 and those shares would have mushroomed into 153,600, worth a staggering $20.8 million (£15.8m), and had the dividends been reinvested, the holding would be worth significantly more.

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In 1941, the Pepsi-Cola Company, which was formed in 1902, absorbed candy manufacturer Loft, and the beverage corporation went from strength to strength. In terms of total returns, a $1,000 investment in the business that year would have morphed into as much as $18 million (£13.7m) by November 2020, and even more if the dividends had been reinvested.

The company behind the first COVID-19 vaccine to be announced, Pfizer released 240,000 shares of common stock in 1942 and the cash generated helped fund the commercialisation of penicillin. Since then, the big pharma firm's stock has split 3,888 to 1, so an investment of $1,000 would now be worth $6.1 million (£4.6m) today and that's only if the dividends hadn't been reinvested.

Holding onto shares for the long run can be highly lucrative even if the risk is spread. A $1,000 investment into the S&P 500 in 1943 would offer an average annualised return of 11.47%, which is well above the rate of inflation, giving you a bumper position of $4.6 million (£3.5m) today if you'd reinvested the dividends. This translates to a return of 462,584.68%.

Johnson & Johnson's initial public offering (IPO) was way back in 1944. At the time, a single share would have set your parents back $37.50, so $1,000 would have snapped up 26 shares. They'd have been wise to snap them up – today the holding would comprise 66,312 shares worth a cool $9.9 million (£7.5m).

The close of World War II was an opportune time to play the stock market and keep hold of any investments over the long-term. An investment of $1,000 in the Dow Jones Industrial Average early on in 1945 could have ballooned to a shade under $2.6 million (£2.2m) in 2020, assuming the dividends had been reinvested.

Entrusting your cash to America's most successful college investment club would have been a savvy move back in 1946. The student-run fund started with just $3,000 but its portfolio is now worth $800,000. So a $1,000 investment then would be worth $266,666 (£200k) today. The club doesn't invest its dividends instead spending them on educational activities, but if it had done the fund would be worth over $4 million (£3m).

Established in 1911 as the Computing-Tabulating-Recording Company, IBM went on to become the world's leading technology company by the 1960s. If you'd become the owner of 333 IBM shares priced at $1,000 at the dawn of the information technology age, your holding would have expanded to 433,333 shares worth $50.7 million (£38.5m) in 2020, even without the dividends reinvested.

If your folks had been savvy enough to invest $1,000 in fledgling insurance company GEICO in 1948, you'd now be very rich indeed. The company's stock rose tenfold between 1948 and 1956 alone, and the firm went on to become a wholly-owned subsidiary of Warren Buffett's Berkshire Hathaway in 1996. And we all know how valuable that company's shares are.

Australian-born finance guru Alfred Winslow Jones founded the first hedge fund in 1949 and his A.W. Jones Partnership has offered stellar returns over both the short and long term. An investment of $1,000 in 1949 would have skyrocketed to $48,000 by 1969, and would be worth millions of dollars in 2020.

Back in 1950, an investment of $1,000 ($10.8k/£8.2k in today's money) in Standard Oil of New Jersey, the forerunner of ExxonMobil, would have set you up for a very comfortable retirement indeed. At the time of writing your holding would be worth just over $1.15 million (£862k) if all the dividends had been reinvested.

Let's forget the stock market for a moment. Back in 1951, its super-low price made silver a very attractive investment. That year, the precious metal averaged just 73 cents per troy ounce, so $1,000 would have bought 1,370 troy ounces. At today's price of $24.77 per troy ounce, your holding would now be worth $33,935 (£25.7k), beating inflation more than threefold.

Staying with precious metals, gold was also a steal during the early 1950s. In 1952, the price per troy ounce was $34.60, so $1,000 would have purchased 28.9 troy ounces. The ultimate safe haven asset, gold has surged in price this year due to COVID-19 and other factors, and today those 28.9 troy ounces would be worth an inflation-busting $54,633 (£41.4k).

Back in 1953, $1,000 would have netted 20 shares in Chicago-headquartered pharmacy chain Walgreens. Over the years, those 20 would have grown to an impressive 24,627, meaning that four-figure investment 67 years ago would have transformed into a fortune of around a million dollars.

Globally diversified mutual funds were pioneered by Sir John Templeton, who set up his eponymous firm in 1954. A bona fide long-term cash generator, $1,000 (the price of a colour TV back then) invested the year of the fund's founding would have turned into $200,000 by 1992, and would likely be worth hundreds of thousands of dollars in 2020.

America's largest provider of supplemental insurance these days, Aflac was the company to invest in back in 1955 when its founders the Amos brothers (pictured) took their firm public. A $1,000 investment would have bagged you 92 shares which, after stock splits and dividend bonuses, would represent a holding totalling 340,625 shares worth a humongous $14.1 million (£10.7m) today.

In 1956, renowned value investor Walter Schloss was at the beginning of an exceedingly successful few decades of making mega-bucks for his clients. Putting $1,000 into his Midas touch fund that year would have turned into more than $1 million by 2002, and some millions of dollars today.

Sinking cash into tobacco conglomerate Philip Morris, which is now known as Altria, may not have been the most ethical choice (though the dangers of the habit weren't widely known in the 1950s), but it would have been a financially sound decision, and then some. A $1,000 investment in 1957 would have transformed into $5.8 million by 2007. Today that investment would be worth over $6.5 million (£4.9m).

A $1,000 stake in this investment firm put down in 1958 would have paid off big time had you held on to it for the long haul. When American Century sold a large chunk of the company to JP Morgan in 1998, that $1,000 investment had become a massive $600 million, and would be worth even more today.

The Florida-based supermarket chain was definitely worthy of your parents' investment cash back in 1959, but it's worth bearing in mind the shares weren't publicly traded. Given the multitude of stock splits over the years and the company's impressive growth, a $1,000 investment made in 1959 would be worth $16.2 million (£12.3m) in November 2020.

You'd have lucked out big time had your parents gifted you $1,000-worth ($8.8k/£6.7k in today's money) of Westfield shares back in 1960 when the chain was floated on the Australian Stock Exchange. That relatively modest investment in what went on to become a veritable shopping mall empire would now be worth an enormous $110 million (£83.3m), assuming all the dividends had been reinvested. 

The US home improvement chain went public in 1961 with shares priced at $12.25 each. Fantastically lucrative over the long haul, 81 shares would have turned into 77,760 worth $12.4 million (£9.4m) today, following 12 stock splits. Lowe's is known as a "dividend aristocrat" as the firm has paid out dividends every year, so the position would be worth considerably more had you reinvested them.

Boeing stock has plunged this year due to COVID-19. Nevertheless, a $1,000 investment made at the aerospace company's IPO in 1962 would be worth a fortune today and that's not even taking into account reinvested dividends. Back then, $1,000 would have bought 1,215 shares. Following eight stock splits, the initial holding would have grown to 6,800 shares, which at the current price would be worth $1.46 million (£1m).

A single Coca-Cola share would have set your folks back around 25 cents back in 1963, so $1,000 would have snapped up 4,000. Following eight stock splits since then, those 4,000 shares would have turned into 1,536,000, which at the current price would be worth an amazing $82 million (£62.1m), and the position would be worth a lot more had the dividends been reinvested.

Legendary investor Warren Buffett took over ailing textile firm Berkshire Hathaway in 1964. If your parents had funnelled $1,000 of their hard-earned cash into the firm back then, you'd be very rich today. In fact, a $1,000 investment into the successful investment vehicle in 1964 would be worth a whopping $26.7 million (£20.2m) at the start of 2020.

McDonald's went public in 1965 and hasn't looked back. Investing $1,000 would have stretched to 44 shares at the fast food favourite's IPO, which would have grown to 33,014 shares worth $7.2 million (£5.4m) today. And your holding would be worth much more if you'd reinvested the dividends.

An investment of $1,000 in the iconic motor home manufacturer would have snagged 80 shares in 1966 at the IPO price of $12.50. The stock split eight times since then, so those 80 shares would have turned into 51,200 valued at $2.67 million (£2m) today – and that figure doesn't even include the generous dividend payouts.

The General Electric share price averaged around a dollar back in 1967, so $1,000 would have snagged your parents 1,000 shares. Based on stock splits alone, those 1,000 shares would have turned into 99,840 shares today, worth a very respectable $1.05 million (£787k) and more if any dividends had been reinvested. Better still, if you had cashed in the holding in 2000 when the share price peaked at just under $60, you'd have walked away with $5.99 million.

Now one of the world's largest toymakers, Hasbro went public in 1968. At the time, $1,000 would have purchased 66 shares. Since then the stock has split 62.65 to one and based on these splits alone, your position would now comprise 4,135 shares, which at the current share price would be worth $380,080 (£285k). This would be even more of course if you'd reinvested the dividends.

The conglomerate behind Post-It Notes and Scotch Tape, 3M would have made for an outstanding investment back in 1969 when the firm produced products that were used by astronauts in the first Moon landing. At the end of that year, $1,000 would have got your parents 166 shares. Following four stock splits since then, those 166 shares would have transformed into a holding of 4,256 shares, worth $750,417 (£563k) at the time of writing.

Walmart's remarkable growth since its IPO in 1970 has made some early investors mega-rich, particularly those who held onto their stock. Following 11 splits, 60 shares bought at the IPO for $1,000 ($6.7k/£5.1k in today's money) would have turned into 122,880 shares worth $18.6 million ($13.9m) by November 2020, and that's not taking into account if any of the dividends had been reinvested.

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Though airlines have been hit hard by coronavirus, Southwest continues to reward investors, having bestowed lavish returns, generous dividends, and several stock splits upon them since its 1971 IPO. A mere $1,000 invested in the company that year would now be worth $5.2 million (£3.9m), assuming the dividends had been reinvested.

Chipmaker Intel went public in 1972. The price per share at the firm's IPO was $23.50, so $1,000 would have bought 42 shares. Following 13 stock splits over the years, the holding would now consist of 51,030 shares, which at current prices would be worth $2.3 million (£1.7m), plus dividends of $64,000 (£49k) per annum.

Niche property and casualty insurance firm W.R. Berkley went public in November 1973. Back then, $1,000 would have scored your parents an impressive 5,882 shares, which were priced at just 17 cents a pop. Following eight stock splits, the holding would now comprise 150,749 shares with a value of $9.8 million (£7.3m), which would be worth significantly more had the dividends been put back in.

Texas Instruments was on the cusp of greatness in 1974 having just released the SR-50 scientific calculator. That year, its stock was trading at $1.83 on average, so $1,000 would have snagged 546 shares. Five stock splits later, the holding would now consist of 26,208 shares worth $4.1 million (£3.1m), and the position would be worth even more if the dividends had been reinvested.

One of America's most venerable retailers, Target was founded in 1902 and went public in 1967. Back in 1975, $1,000 would have purchased 138 shares according to the company's historical stock calculator. Those 138 shares would have turned into 6,666 over the years, which at current prices would be worth $1.1 million (£834k), and that figure doesn't even include reinvested dividends.

Apple has gained in value spectacularly over the years. In 1976, early shareholder Ron Wayne sold a 10% stake in the company for just $800. Hypothetically speaking of course, $1,000 would have been equivalent to a 12.5% stake, therefore that $1,000 would translate to an incredible $253.5 billion (£192.1bn) today, which would make you the richest person on the planet by a long shot.

From humble beginnings, Kroger has grown to become America's largest supermarket chain by revenue. The retailer went public in 1977. At the time, $1,000 would have purchased 1,333 shares at 75 cents apiece. The stock has since split 2 for 1 fives times, turning the initial position into a holding of 42,656 shares, which today are worth $1.38 million (£1m), and that's not even taking into account reinvested dividends.

Delivery behemoth FedEx was floated on the New York Stock Exchange in 1978 with shares priced at $24 each. A $1,000 investment would therefore have got your parents 41 shares. Like Kroger, FedEx stock has split 2 for 1 five times over the years, which would have given you 1,312 shares today. At the current price, your holding would have a value of $380,317 (£285k), and more had you reinvested the dividends.

This Boston-based investment firm has provided its clients with exceptional returns since its formation in 1979. According to the company's latest annual report, $1,000 invested back then would have translated to a bumper holding worth over $3.3 million (£2.5m) by the end of 2019, assuming the dividends had been reinvested.

Nike has risen to become the world's number one sportswear firm, having started out in the trunk of a car of all places. If you invested $1,000 ($3.2k/£2.4k in today's money) at the 1980 IPO where shares were selling at $22 per share, you could have bought 45 shares. Following seven 2 for 1 stock splits, today the holding would consist of 5,760 shares worth $776,100 (£582k), although that figure doesn't include reinvested dividends.

These days, Home Depot is second only to Walmart in terms of its valuation by US retail experts. Had your parents gifted you $1,000 worth of stock at the home improvement chain's IPO in 1981 – it would have purchased 83 shares at $12 each – you'd be sitting on 28,361 shares currently valued at $7.7 million (£5.8m), or a lot more if you'd reinvested the dividends.

Procter & Gamble stock would have made for a fantastic investment back in 1982. Had your parents bought $1,000 worth of shares back then, they would have received around 346 shares. Following stock splits the holding would be 11,072 shares today, worth $1.5 million (£1.1m). This would be even higher if you reinvested the dividends.

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It's not hard to figure out why M&T Bank stock has been one of Warren Buffett's all-time favourites. If your folks had put down a $1,000 investment in the Buffalo, New York-based financial institution back in 1983, that initial $1,000 would have swelled to just under $1.7 million (£1.3m), assuming the dividends had been reinvested.

The Gap share price has been soaring of late after the retailer announced it would return to profitability in 2021, which would music to your ears if your folks had snapped up $1,000 worth of stock in 1984. Today, your holding would be worth $2.1 million (£1.6m) had the dividends been reinvested.

Danaher stock is also among the best performers of the past 35 years. If your deep-pocketed parents had invested $1,000 in the Washington DC-based science and technology conglomerate in 1985 and diligently reinvested the dividends, you'd now be the proud owner of a position worth $2.7 million (£2.1m).

Microsoft's IPO was made in 1986, with stock available at the bargain price of $21 a share. Therefore, $1,000 would have bought 47 shares in the company. Since then, the tech titan's stock has split nine times, so your holding today would consist of 13,536 shares worth $2.9 million (£2.2m).

Progressive stock has made marvelous gains since the late 1980s. A $1,000 investment in the now booming vehicle insurance firm back in 1987 would have grown to a very decent $544,572 (£413k) if you or your parents had been prudent enough to reinvest the dividends. This represents an annualised return of more than 21%.

The off-price retailer has seen its stock skyrocket during the past few decades. Back in 1988, $1,000 would have bought 1,666 shares as the price per share was around 60 cents. Five 2 for 1 stock splits later, and your holding would encompass 53,312 shares worth $3.2 million (£2.4m) at the current price, and more had you reinvested the dividends.

Founded in 1948, this human resource consulting firm is the world's largest serving the accounting and finance sector. Back in 1989, $1,000 would have secured 694 shares, which were priced at $1.44 apiece. After four stock splits, the holding would have grown to 8,328 shares which, at current prices, are worth some $550,980 (£413k), even without factoring in reinvested dividends.

A slew of tech companies enjoyed remarkable growth during the late 1980s and early 1990s, including IT, networking, and cybersecurity leader Cisco. A $1,000 ($2k/£1.5k in today's money) investment in the company at its IPO in 1990 would have bought 55 shares. Following nine stock splits, this would translate to 15,840 shares with a value of $669,082 (£507k) today, and the position would be worth even more had the dividends been reinvested.

Old Dominion Freight Line has offered its shareholders phenomenal returns since the early 1990s. Back in 1991, $1,000 would have purchased 714 shares as the price per share averaged around $1.40. Taking into account the six 3 for 2 stock splits over the years, coupled with the surging share price, the holding would now consist of 8,132 shares worth $1.645 million (£1.2m), and more if any dividends had been reinvested.

Back in 1992, Starbucks, which at the time was a relatively small-scale outfit, went public offering shares at a reasonable $17 apiece, so $1,000 would have bought 58 shares. Since then, the stock has split 2 for 1 six times and the share price has shot up significantly in value. Today, the holding would comprise 1,088 shares worth $106,972 (£80k), and more if the dividends had been reinvested.

The Indian IT outsourcing company went public in 1993 and you'd be smiling from ear to ear had your parents bought 714 shares at $1,000 back then. Amazingly, those 714 shares would had turned into 91,392 valued at $1.4 million (£1.1m) today, and more if you'd reinvested the dividends.

Who knew investing in a company that produces fluid handling systems could be so lucrative? If only your parents had back in 1994. If they'd bought $1,000 worth of shares in Minneapolis-headquartered company Graco and reinvested the dividends, you'd now have a holding with a value of $1.4 million (£1.1m).

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Famed for its surging share price, the company that produces the popular Monster energy drink was crying out for investment cash back in 1995, with shares priced at just 69 cents each at one point that year. Taking into account two stock splits – a 2 or 1 in 2012 and a 3 for 2 in 2016 – 1,449 shares bought in 1995 would now be 4,347 shares, worth $364,930 (£273k), and that's not even factoring in reinvested dividends.

Now America's fourth largest home construction firm, NVR emerged from bankruptcy and was publicly listed in 1993. Back in 1996, its share price hovered around $10, meaning $1,000 would have bought 100 shares. Interestingly, the stock hasn't split since nor has the company paid out dividends, yet based on the current share price, which has seen a stratospheric rise over the past 24 years, those 100 shares are now worth $415,518 (£311k).

Amazon went public in 1997 when it was still a fairly modest online bookstore and has since enjoyed remarkable growth, which has been reflected in its ever-buoyant share price. A $1,000 investment at the IPO would have got your folks 55 shares priced at $18 each. Following three stock splits, the holding would now consist of 660 shares worth $2 million (£1.5m).

Yet another fruitful pre dot-com crash internet-related investment opportunity, eBay went public in 1998 offering shares priced at $18 a pop. A $1,000 investment at the IPO for 55 shares would have grown to 3,136 shares worth $151,500 (£115k) following five stock splits. That total is without reinvesting dividends, which the company started paying out last year.

Dubbed 'the year of the mega-IPOs', 1999 was also the height of the dot-com bubble – not the best year to invest in risky internet businesses. This petroleum refining firm was a much better bet. Had your parents put $1,000 into the company that year and reinvested the dividends, you'd now have a holding worth $246,213 (£187k).

A retail chain that sells agricultural equipment, animal feed, and other products aimed at recreational farmers doesn't seem like the most profitable of investments, yet the Tractor Supply Company has been flourishing over the past 20 years, as has its share price. A $1,000 ($1.5k/£1.1k in today's money) investment in 2000 is now worth $259,276 (£196k), assuming any dividends had been reinvested.

In 2001, Intuitive Surgical would have been the company in which to invest $1,000. The Californian medtech firm specialises in robotic products designed to improve clinical outcomes of patients through minimally invasive surgery. A $1,000 investment back then is now worth $180,756 (£137k).

If only your folks had sunk $1,000 into Netflix stock following the company's IPO in 2002. At the time the firm was far from the household name it is today, and made its money renting out DVDs by mail. A $1,000 investment into the burgeoning company, which has never paid a dividend, back in 2002 is now worth $888,560 (£673k).

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