Inventions & Breakthroughs of March 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 March 19, 1981
Full News Archive
- Headline: Jim Frey and the Young Royals. Impact: If only Jim Frey hadn't been such a big deal in Bluefield, maybe the concept of 'celebrity coaches' would have been delayed by a few decades. Who knows, perhaps we'd still be watching paint dry instead of sports highlights! The ripple from his prominence led to a never-ending cycle of overhyped sports figures and reality TV stars.. Fact: Did you know that being a 'prominent figure' in a small town is basically equivalent to being the mayor of a very exclusive club? No one really elects you, but everyone pretends it's a big deal..
- Headline: Ongoing Dispute Over Cable Franchises. Impact: The unresolved cable franchise issue became a pivotal moment in the timeline of boredom. If they had just resolved it, we might have eliminated the need for a hundred terrible reality shows. Instead, we got a decade of 'The Real Housewives' franchise spiraling out of control. Thanks a lot, Board of Estimate!. Fact: Did you know that discussions about cable TV franchises can actually cause spontaneous naps? It's a scientifically proven phenomenon, or at least it should be!.
- Headline: Binghamton Fire Exposes PCB Dangers. Impact: The Binghamton fire and subsequent fears about PCB-laden transformers triggered an avalanche of regulations, which in turn made environmental advocacy a trendy thing. Who knew that a fire could lead to a billion-dollar industry in eco-friendly candles and reusable straws? Thanks, Binghamton!. Fact: Did you know that PCBs are so toxic that even the transformers using them probably wanted a career change? They were just trying to light up the world, not poison it!.
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