This is what my Quotron looked like 28 years ago today, October 19, 1987. I was on the floor of The American Stock Exchange as an options market maker trading options for my own account. It was this day I learned one of the most important lessons in my life, never put on a position that will put you out of business. It took me a few years to recover from this loss but I’m still here today and a much better trader for it. It was what some people call a teachable moment- a big one.

I wish I had my way back machine working, look at those prices. I’d love to own those stocks at the closing prices displayed back then  today. There are a few that are not in business anymore but if you bought that entire screen at those prices, you would be sitting pretty even with the losers factored in.