🧠 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 17, 1980
Full News Archive
- Headline: 'TIMES SQUARE' - A Striking Journey. Impact: The beat of Times Square inspired a new wave of street performers, leading to an explosion of talent that would eventually result in the viral sensation of interpretive dance battles in public parks. Because nothing says 'art' like a spontaneous dance-off over who can twerk better.. Fact: Did you know that Times Square was once nicknamed 'Longacre Square'? Turns out, even the most famous places can have an identity crisis..
- Headline: 'Fade to Black' Film Analysis. Impact: This film's portrayal of a killer film buff inadvertently sparked a generation of cinephiles who took their obsession too far, leading to an underground society of movie lovers that would later be blamed for the rise of 'true crime' documentaries. Thanks a lot, Dennis!. Fact: Did you know that 'So bad it's funny' is a critical review category that many filmmakers aspire to? Just look at the box office numbers!.
- Headline: O'Toole Stars in Gripping 'Stunt Man'. Impact: The conflicted character of the Vietnam vet led to a wave of anti-war films that made Hollywood feel guilty for a decade. This ultimately resulted in the creation of a new genre: the 'sad soldier' movie, where everyone cries and nobody wins. Thanks, O'Toole!. Fact: Did you know that 'Stunt Man' was initially rejected by over 30 studios? Clearly, they were all too busy making sequels to movies no one asked for..
- Headline: 'FOOLIN' AROUND'. Impact: This film's lack of originality inspired a whole generation of writers to focus on plagiarism as a legitimate form of artistic expression, leading to the rise of remakes and reboots that haunt us to this day. You're welcome, Hollywood.. Fact: Did you know that 'Foolin' Around' is the perfect title for any film that makes you question your life choices? Just like watching it..
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