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 27, 1981
Full News Archive
- Headline: Thief: A Family Drama with Caan. Impact: The casting of Caan and Weld led to a cinematic chain reaction that resulted in every heist movie ever made featuring a family man with a heart of gold. Because who doesn't want to rob banks while cuddling their kids, right?. Fact: Did you know that in the universe of this film, every time someone watches it, a thief somewhere gets inspired? Talk about a crime wave!.
- Headline: Red Smith's Luncheon with Baseball Legends. Impact: This lunch with Red Smith and the Reagans sparked a tradition of celebrities flocking to the White House, ultimately leading to the bizarre phenomenon of politicians taking selfies with influencers. Thanks, Reagan, for that mess!. Fact: Fun fact: This was one of the few times two legends met without a sports scandal ruining the vibe. But give it a week—someone's bound to trip over a baseball bat..
- Headline: Eyes of a Stranger: Killer Uncovered. Impact: The chilling premise of a reporter hunting a rapist-killer ignited a genre of crime dramas that would influence countless shows, making every viewer suddenly an armchair detective. Who needs police when you have a remote control?. Fact: Did you know that the 'Eyes of a Stranger' tagline inspired countless bad puns about stalking? Because, you know, it’s all fun and games until someone gets a restraining order..
- Headline: KOCH SEEKS LAW FOR ROUNDUPS TO AID THE HOMELESS. Impact: Mayor Koch's initiative to round up the homeless without consent opened the floodgates for all sorts of questionable policies in the name of 'helping.' Because nothing says compassion like a forced bath and a timeout.. Fact: Fun fact: This was essentially the precursor to many modern-day debates on homelessness, proving that some politicians would rather 'help' by sweeping issues under the rug than actually looking for real solutions..
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