Inventions & Breakthroughs of August 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 August 2, 1980
Full News Archive
- Headline: 'The Hunter' Documentary Insights. Impact: If 'The Hunter' hadn't tracked those fugitives, they might have become famous social media influencers instead. Imagine a world where criminals are celebrated on TikTok for their 'life hacks' on evading the law.. Fact: Did you know that bounty hunters are like the original reality TV stars? Always chasing a story, but with way more risk of getting shot!.
- Headline: Nimitz's Time-Traveling Adventure in 'Countdown'. Impact: The time-traveling twist of 'Carrier Nimitz' led to a secret government project that attempted to send naval ships back to the Age of Sail, resulting in a bizarre fleet of ships that couldn't decide which century they belonged to. Spoiler: it didn't end well.. Fact: Did you know that aircraft carriers are basically floating cities? So, if you ever wanted to live in a city that could get bombed at any moment, now you know your options!.
- Headline: The Daring Plan to Raise Titanic. Impact: 'Raise the Titanic?' More like 'Raise the Titanic and Unleash a Series of Unfortunate Events'. Turns out disturbing long-forgotten wrecks is a gateway to unleashing ancient curses. Who knew? Well, probably anyone who watched a horror movie.. Fact: Did you know that the Titanic was meant to be unsinkable? Clearly, the universe has a sense of humor, and the Titanic was just the punchline..
- Headline: 'BODYGAURD UNDERDOG'S COURAGE. Impact: The rise of the underdog bodyguard led to an explosion in the market for overly protective best friends. Today, we have a generation of people who think personal security means hiring someone to watch your back while you binge-watch reality TV.. Fact: Did you know that hiring a bodyguard is like getting a really intense babysitter? They don’t just protect you; they also judge your life choices!.
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