🧠 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
The Sounds of
The biggest hits of the year — Top 10 Pop & Country chart toppers
HEADLINES ON October 14, 1980
Full News Archive
- Headline: 'Times Square' Explores Youth and Instability. Impact: If those two teenage drifters had actually settled down, we might have been spared the endless cycle of reality TV stars who think they’re famous for being famous. Thanks, Times Square!. Fact: Did you know that Times Square was once known as Longacre Square? It was renamed in 1904, proving that even squares can get a makeover!.
- Headline: 'Fade to Black' Film Screening. Impact: This film buff turned killer might have inspired an entire genre of 'crazy artist' horror films. Imagine a world where every aspiring filmmaker thinks they need to commit a crime to get noticed. Oh wait, we already live in that world!. Fact: Fun fact: Dennis Christopher was actually a film buff in real life too, but luckily he kept his murderous tendencies to the screen. Phew!.
- Headline: O'Toole's Unique Role in 'Stunt Man'. Impact: The portrayal of a disturbed Vietnam vet led to an avalanche of films glorifying war while simultaneously showing its horrors. Because nothing says 'healing' like a blockbuster, right?. Fact: Peter O'Toole was known for his wild lifestyle. Let's just say if he had a time machine, he’d probably use it to party with the Romans..
- Headline: 'FOOLIN' AROUND'. Impact: This film's failure might have led to an entire generation of filmmakers vowing to never take risks again, resulting in an endless loop of sequels and reboots. Thanks for the creativity drain, 'Foolin' Around'!. Fact: Fun fact: 'Foolin' Around' is like that one friend who never seems to leave the party... but clearly should have..
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