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 20, 1980
Full News Archive
- Headline: 'NO NUKES' Concerts in New York. Impact: If those anti-nuclear concerts hadn't happened, we might have seen a timeline where rock stars were more focused on their hair than global destruction, resulting in far fewer awkward 80's hairstyles and perhaps a world without reality TV. You're welcome.. Fact: Did you know that the only thing more explosive than nuclear power in the 70s was the hair of the musicians at those concerts? Talk about a meltdown!.
- Headline: 'Honeysuckle Rose' and Its Challenges. Impact: This singer's woes could have led to a parallel universe where musicians only sing about their successes. Imagine that! We’d miss out on all the relatable heartbreak ballads that keep us feeling better about our own miserable lives.. Fact: Fun fact: 'Honeysuckle Rose' could also refer to the singer's search for a decent meal while on tour. Spoiler alert: fast food is not a food group..
- Headline: 'THE BIG RED ONE' and WWII Heroes. Impact: This film's exploration of war has had a lasting impact on how we portray soldiers in media. Without it, we might have ended up with more romantic comedies about war instead of actual narratives that challenge our views. Because who wouldn’t want to see a rom-com set in the trenches?. Fact: Samuel Fuller was known for his gritty realism, which is impressive considering most Hollywood directors were still figuring out how to make a decent sandwich by the time he was making films..
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