Inventions & Breakthroughs of December 1978
Gadgets, lab surprises, odd bets, and future-shocks from this slice of the calendar.
1 
Global Positioning System Satellites
2 
Word Processing Software (WordStar)
3 
Digital Telephone Answering Machine
4 
Medical Imaging PACS Concept
5 
Electronic Spreadsheet (VisiCalc)
6 
Computer Animation Software
7 
Automated Warehouse Robotics
8 
Digital Signal Processor Chip
9 
Video Game Console (Atari 2600)
10 
Space Probe Voyager Instruments
The Sounds of
Popular recordings and roots/country selections associated with the year
HEADLINES ON December 23, 1978
Full News Archive
- Headline: NYC Proposes Trade-In of Highway Funds. Impact: If NYC had successfully traded that aid, public transport might have been so improved that citizens would have begun to demand faster commutes, leading to the invention of teleportation by 2025. Thanks, bureaucracy!. Fact: New York City’s transit system is like a mystical labyrinth—full of unexpected delays and surprises, much like opening your fridge at 2 AM..
- Headline: Carter Withdraws Morris Nomination. Impact: This withdrawal caused a bizarre chain reaction in politics, leading to the invention of the 'Political Hot Potato' game, where nominees are tossed around like a football until someone drops them.. Fact: Political nominations are like reality TV—full of drama, unexpected twists, and a whole lot of people who should have stayed home..
- Headline: Article 2 -- No Title. Impact: In the absence of a compelling title, countless future articles would be written without titles, leading to a bizarre trend where the most important works of literature are simply referred to as 'Article 1, 2, and so on.'. Fact: Sometimes, the best titles are the ones that are left out—like that one friend who always shows up to the party but never contributes to the conversation..
- Headline: Ethiopians Stir New Somali Fears With Bombings and Army Buildup. Impact: This conflict reignited tensions in the region, influencing global geopolitics and ultimately leading to the formation of many think tanks that still can’t agree on what to have for lunch.. Fact: Conflict often leads to unexpected alliances, like two countries that hate each other teaming up to figure out who can build the biggest wall..
- Headline: ‘Broadway Musical’ Closes After One Performance. Impact: This theatrical flop resulted in the creation of a new genre: musicals based entirely on the experiences of flopped shows, leading to a bizarre trend in self-referential performance art.. Fact: Theater is a fickle mistress—one moment you're a star, the next you're a punchline in the annals of musical history..
Wall Street Time Machine
The Right Call: If you'd invested $1,000 in any one of these companies in 1978, here's what the stored 2025 dataset estimates.
Rank #1
WMT
Walmart
Price in 1978
$0.01
2025 dataset value
$7,945,492
Walmart - If you invested $1,000 in 1978, it would be worth $7,945,492 today (7945.5x return)
Rank #2
INTC
Intel
Price in 1978
$0.18
2025 dataset value
$199,890
Intel - If you invested $1,000 in 1978, it would be worth $199,890 today (199.9x return)
Rank #3
JNJ
Johnson & Johnson
Price in 1978
$0.49
2025 dataset value
$423,037
Johnson & Johnson - If you invested $1,000 in 1978, it would be worth $423,037 today (423.0x return)
🦸 Top 5 Comics
X-Men #111
$75
Action Comics #484
$15
Daredevil #158
$75
Superman #233
$250
Peter Parker, The Spectacular Spider-Man #27
$30
🧸 Top 5 Toys
Star Wars Action Figures
$300.00
Simon
$500.00
Lego Space Sets
$350.00
Speak & Spell
$150.00
Hot Wheels
$30.00
🎮 Top 5 Video Games
Space Invaders
$13,800
Adventureland
Unknown
Avalanche
$60.00
Astro Battle
$200.00
Sky Diver
$12.34
⚾ Top 5 Trading Cards
Wayne Gretzky Rookie Card
$4,000,000
Kenner Star Wars Series 1
$70.00
Topps Baseball 1978 Eddie Murray Rookie Card
$3,000
Futera Muhammad Ali 1978
$1,500
Topps Football 1978 Tony Dorsett Rookie Card
$20,000