🧠 Inventions of 1981
Breakthroughs and everyday innovations from the year.
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
The biggest hits of the year — Top 10 Pop & Country chart toppers
HEADLINES ON April 11, 1981
Full News Archive
- Headline: Classic Cuts at Vintage Prices. Impact: This haircut revolution not only kept men looking sharp in the 50s but also led to an explosion of hair product advertisements in the 60s. Eventually, this led to the rise of hipster barbershops, where the price of a haircut now rivals that of a small car. Thanks, nostalgia!. Fact: Did you know that for the price of a haircut today, you could probably buy a small island? Just kidding! But seriously, $2-$3 haircuts are like unicorns now—magical but nearly extinct..
- Headline: Two Clowns as Private Eyes Adventure. Impact: The duo of clowns in detective roles sparked a worldwide trend of comedic sleuths, which ultimately led to the creation of 'Scooby-Doo.' Who knew that the key to solving crimes was a penchant for slapstick and balloon animals?. Fact: Did you know that clowns have been solving crimes for decades? Just kidding, but if they did, maybe they could finally figure out where my socks disappear to in the laundry..
Wall Street Time Machine
The Right Call: If you'd invested $1,000 in any one of these companies in 1981, here's what it would be worth in 2025.
Rank #2
INTC
Intel
Price in 1981
$0.23
Value in 2025
$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