Inventions & Breakthroughs of July 1980
Gadgets, lab surprises, odd bets, and future-shocks from this slice of the calendar.
1 
Portable Personal Computer
2 
Compact Disc (CD)
3 
Charge-Coupled Device Camera Expansion
4 
Medical MRI Scanner Commercial Use
5 
Digital Signal Processor
6 
Electronic Spreadsheet Software
7 
Home Video Game Console Expansion
8 
Industrial Laser Cutting Systems
9 
Automatic Blood Glucose Meter
10 
Satellite Navigation Expansion
The Sounds of
Popular recordings and roots/country selections associated with the year
HEADLINES ON July 17, 1980
Full News Archive
- Headline: 'NO NUKES' Concert Series Highlights. Impact: The 'NO NUKES' concerts sparked a global awareness that eventually led to the rise of eco-friendly pop icons like Billie Eilish. If only the musicians had known their heartfelt tunes would lead to a green revolution amidst avocado toast and reusable straws.. Fact: Did you know that the 'NO NUKES' concerts were so effective that they caused a massive uptick in tie-dye sales? Because nothing says 'peace' like a colorful shirt that screams, 'I might have a PhD in environmental science!'.
- Headline: Honeysuckle Rose Tour Troubles. Impact: The woes of the touring singer in 'HONEYSUCKLE ROSE' set a precedent for every musician's subsequent meltdown, inspiring countless country songs and reality TV shows about the tragic life of fame. Thanks for that, 1970s.. Fact: Fun fact: The phrase 'best when he's singing' is actually code for 'please stop talking, we just want to hear the music.'.
- Headline: The Big Red One: GIs in WWII. Impact: The release of 'THE BIG RED ONE' helped shape the narrative around World War II in film, leading to an endless cycle of war movies that glorify combat while simultaneously giving us PTSD. Yay, Hollywood!. Fact: Samuel Fuller was such a cult figure that even his grocery list could probably get a documentary. Who knew picking up milk and eggs could be so cinematic?.
Wall Street Time Machine
The Right Call: If you'd invested $1,000 in any one of these companies in 1980, here's what the stored 2025 dataset estimates.
Rank #1
AAPL
Apple
Price in 1980
$0.10
2025 dataset value
$2,766,454
Apple - If you invested $1,000 in 1980, it would be worth $2,766,454 today (2766.5x return)
Rank #3
INTC
Intel
Price in 1980
$0.18
2025 dataset value
$199,890
Intel - If you invested $1,000 in 1980, it would be worth $199,890 today (199.9x return)
🦸 Top 5 Comics
The New Teen Titans #1
$75
The X-Men #137
$400
Savage She-Hulk #1
$276
Dazzler #1
$900
The Untold Legend of the Batman #1
$20,000
🧸 Top 5 Toys
Rubik's Cube
$150.00
Atari 2600
$2,500.00
Star Wars Action Figures
$300.00
The Empire Strikes Back Tauntaun
$150.00
LEGO Space Sets
$400.00
🎮 Top 5 Video Games
Pac-Man
$50.00
Centipede
$95.00
Missile Command
$33,400.00
Zork I: The Great Underground Empire
$212.30
Rogue
$100.00
⚾ Top 5 Trading Cards
1980 Topps Baseball Rickey Henderson Rookie Card
$138,000
1980 O-Pee-Chee Wayne Gretzky Card
$125,000
1980 Topps Larry Bird / Magic Johnson Rookie Card with Julius Erving
$500,000
1980 Panini Soccer Stickers Diego Maradona
$250,000
1980 Donruss Golf Jack Nicklaus Card
$0.00