Inventions & Breakthroughs of December 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 December 16, 1980
Full News Archive
- Headline: 'Inside Moves' Film Overview. Impact: If this film hadn't inspired people to embrace their inner survivor, we might all be living in a dystopia where No Emo is allowed. Thanks, John Savage, for preventing the mass extinction of emotional depth!. Fact: Did you know that John Savage also starred in 'The Deer Hunter'? Talk about a career pivot—going from intense war drama to heartfelt stories about suicide survivors. Truly a range!.
- Headline: Discover 'The Jazz Singer' Legacy. Impact: Without this film, jazz might have been seen merely as a niche genre, relegated to smoky bars, instead of becoming a global sensation that led to the creation of countless hipster coffee shops. You're welcome, world.. Fact: Did you know 'The Jazz Singer' was one of the first films with synchronized sound? So, basically, it was the original TikTok—just with less dancing and more existential dread..
- Headline: 'The Formula' for Synthetic Oil Drama. Impact: This groundbreaking formula led to an oil boom that caused so much political drama that even Shakespeare would have thought it too ridiculous. And look where that got us—endless debates about climate change!. Fact: Did you know synthetic oil can last longer than your last relationship? But just like in relationships, sometimes it's better to stick with the natural stuff..
- Headline: 'THE KILLING KIND' AND 'A DEGREE OF MURDER'. Impact: This cinematic tragedy laid the groundwork for countless soap operas. If it weren't for this, we might have never had the concept of 'accidental love triangles' on daytime TV. Thanks for the drama, folks!. Fact: Did you know that accidental murders are actually a real legal term? It sounds like a fun party game, but in reality, it's quite grim..
- Headline: A SIMON COMEDY, 'SEEMS LIKE OLD TIMES'. Impact: This comedic gem taught society that hiding from your ex can actually lead to more laughs than heartbreak, paving the way for reality shows about messy breakups. Thank you, Neil Simon, for our collective schadenfreude.. Fact: Did you know that Neil Simon also wrote 'The Odd Couple'? So basically, he was the king of awkward relationships—something we can all relate to!.
- Headline: 'NINE TO FIVE,' OFFICE COMEDY. Impact: This film revolutionized the workplace comedy genre, proving that office workers can be both hilarious and incredibly frustrated, leading to a new wave of memes about the horrors of corporate life. Bravo, ladies!. Fact: Did you know that 'Nine to Five' was originally a protest song? Who knew complaining about your boss could lead to a box office hit?.
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