Inventions & Breakthroughs of February 1981
Gadgets, lab surprises, odd bets, and future-shocks from this slice of the calendar.
1 
Personal Computer (IBM PC)
2 
Graphical User Interface Concept
3 
Word Processing Software (Microsoft Word)
4 
Digital Camera Prototype Commercialization
5 
Medical Infusion Pump
6 
Local Area Network Expansion
7 
Portable Video Game Console
8 
Computer-Aided Manufacturing Software
9 
Speech Recognition System Improvement
10 
Reusable Space Shuttle Program
The Sounds of
Popular recordings and roots/country selections associated with the year
HEADLINES ON February 18, 1981
Full News Archive
- Headline: Banker Appointed Deputy Mayor for Development. Impact: When Karen N. Gerard became Deputy Mayor, it set off a chain reaction in the economic world, leading to the eventual rise of economists as celebrity figures. Soon, we had 'Econo-Rockstars' with their own fan clubs and merchandise. Who knew a banker could inspire a new wave of fandom?. Fact: Did you know that a Deputy Mayor for Development is basically like a glorified middle manager for a city? Just think of all the meetings!.
- Headline: Avrett Becomes De Lorean's First Agency. Impact: When Avrett became the first agency for De Lorean Sports Cars, it inadvertently led to an obsession with stainless steel cars, which peaked in the 1980s. This obsession caused a spike in the price of stainless steel and a brief surge in the popularity of shiny kitchen appliances. Coincidence? I think not!. Fact: Fun fact: The De Lorean's unique design was so futuristic that it was used as a time machine in 'Back to the Future'. So, if you own one, you might just be sitting on a vehicle of temporal travel!.
Wall Street Time Machine
The Right Call: If you'd invested $1,000 in any one of these companies in 1981, here's what the stored 2025 dataset estimates.
Rank #2
INTC
Intel
Price in 1981
$0.23
2025 dataset value
$155,194
Intel - If you invested $1,000 in 1981, it would be worth $155,194 today (155.2x return)
🦸 Top 5 Comics
Daredevil #181
$2,600
Uncanny X-Men #141
$1,000
Marvel Graphic Novel #1
$42,000
Moon Knight #1
$250
Saga of the Swamp Thing #1
$300
🧸 Top 5 Toys
Rubik's Cube
$150.00
LEGO Space Sets
$400.00
My Little Pony
$150.00
He-Man and the Masters of the Universe
$150.00
Smurfs Figurines
$150.00
🎮 Top 5 Video Games
Donkey Kong
$300.00
Pac-Man
$1,500.00
Frogger
$50.00
Galaga
$262.70
Ms. Pac-Man
$33,400.00
⚾ Top 5 Trading Cards
1981 Topps Joe Montana Rookie Card
$76,250
1981 Fleer Fernando Valenzuela Rookie Card
$400
1981 Donruss Tim Raines Rookie Card
$1,200.00
1981 Topps Magic Johnson and Larry Bird Card
$427,000
1981 O-Pee-Chee Wayne Gretzky
$2,000