🧠 Inventions of 1980
Breakthroughs and everyday innovations from the year.
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
HEADLINES ON October 3, 1980
Full News Archive
- Headline: 'Coast to Coast' Action Comedy Overview. Impact: The frantic chases across the nation inspired generations of road trip movies, ultimately leading to the creation of countless traffic jams and the invention of the snack aisle in gas stations — because, let's be honest, you need snacks for those 'hectic' adventures.. Fact: Did you know that 'Coast to Coast' inspired an entire generation of people to believe that running from the law could be done with a witty one-liner and a convertible? Spoiler alert: it usually ends in a traffic ticket..
- Headline: Somewhere in Time: A Timeless Romance. Impact: This film's time-traveling romance sparked debates about whether love truly transcends time, inadvertently leading to a rise in time-travel-themed dating apps — because nothing says romance like swiping right across centuries.. Fact: Did you know that 'Somewhere in Time' led to a 300% increase in people trying to find love in hotels? Turns out, they weren't just checking in for the room service..
- Headline: 'ELEPHANT MAN,' STUDY IN GENTEELNESS. Impact: The poignant portrayal of the Elephant Man opened doors to greater awareness and discussions about mental health and societal acceptance, eventually leading to more inclusive portrayals in media — though, sadly, not enough in real life.. Fact: Did you know that the term 'genteel' has been used to describe everything from fancy tea parties to tragic stories of misunderstood individuals? Talk about a range!.
- Headline: BURNS IS BACK IN 'OH GOD!BOOK II'. Impact: The return of George Burns in 'Oh God! Book II' not only revived a beloved character, but also inadvertently caused a widespread belief that sequels are divine gifts, leading to millions of filmmakers ignoring the concept of 'less is more.'. Fact: Fun fact: 'Oh God! Book II' is proof that even in Hollywood, divine intervention can't save a sequel from the inevitable 'meh' reviews..
- Headline: 'SAM MARLOWE,' NOSTALGIC LOOK AT THE PRIVATE-EYE GENRE. Impact: This nostalgic look at the private-eye genre reminded audiences of the charm of detective stories, eventually leading to a resurgence of plastic surgery in Hollywood, making everyone look like a suspiciously younger version of themselves.. Fact: Did you know that the plastic surgery trend sparked by 'Sam Marlowe' led to more plot twists in movies than actual crimes? Who needs a detective when you have a good facelift?.
Wall Street Time Machine
The Right Call: If you'd invested $1,000 in any one of these companies in 1980, here's what it would be worth in 2025.
Rank #1
AAPL
Apple
Price in 1980
$0.10
Value in 2025
$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
Value in 2025
$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