Inventions & Breakthroughs of May 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 May 15, 1981
Full News Archive
- Headline: Beyond the Reef: A South Seas Romance. Impact: This romantic escapade inspired countless beach vacations and sunburns, leading to a global increase in sunscreen sales. Who knew a shark could start such a slippery trend in tourism?. Fact: Sharks have been around longer than trees. So, if you're ever feeling down, just remember that your skin can take a beating from a sunburn and still be younger than a shark!.
- Headline: Lancaster's Charming Comic Western Adventure. Impact: The amiable nature of this comic western ironically set the stage for future films where the good guys always win, leading to a generation of people who think real life has a happy ending. Spoiler alert: it doesn’t.. Fact: The term 'sheltered girls' was coined before it became a popular phrase among overprotective parents in the modern age. They were likely trying to keep their daughters away from outlaws… and the internet..
- Headline: Diana Ross Signs With RCA Records. Impact: Diana Ross's leap to RCA Records sent shockwaves through the music industry, ultimately leading to the modern era of artists hopping labels like they’re at a buffet. Today, it's totally normal for a pop star to have more label changes than a can of soup.. Fact: Diana Ross once turned down a role in the film 'The Wiz' because she was too busy being fabulous. Imagine if she hadn’t; we might have had a whole different interpretation of the Yellow Brick Road!.
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