Inventions & Breakthroughs of April 1982
Gadgets, lab surprises, odd bets, and future-shocks from this slice of the calendar.
1 
Compact Disc Player (Consumer)
2 
Laptop Computer Concept
3 
Medical CT Scanner Improvements
4 
Digital Audio Recording System
5 
Artificial Heart Implant
6 
Automated Teller Network Expansion
7 
Home Satellite Television
8 
Computer Virus Concept
9 
Electric Anti-Lock Braking System
10 
Portable Fax Machine
The Sounds of
Popular recordings and roots/country selections associated with the year
HEADLINES ON April 16, 1982
Full News Archive
- Headline: New Zealand Drama 'Smash Palace' Premieres. Impact: The debut of 'SMASH PALACE' triggered a chain reaction in marital dramas, leading to decades of couples arguing over who gets to pick the Netflix show. Little did they know, this would eventually culminate in the rise of reality TV, where real marital tensions are broadcasted live. Thanks, Kiwi cinema!. Fact: Did you know that 'SMASH PALACE' was so compelling that it convinced a whole generation to start naming their homes after it? Now we have 'Smash Palace' and 'Shattered Dreams' popping up on every street!.
- Headline: French 'Diva' Premieres at The Plaza. Impact: The stylish 'DIVA' opened the floodgates for French films with convoluted plots and extravagant fashion. This led to a global obsession with berets and existential dread, ultimately influencing hipster culture and the birth of overpriced cafés worldwide. All thanks to a gory suspense-puzzle.. Fact: Fun fact: The movie's plot is so twisty that even a Rubik's Cube gets jealous. Good luck explaining it to your friends after a glass of wine!.
- Headline: 'Wrong is Right' Film Overview. Impact: 'WRONG IS RIGHT' inadvertently set the stage for the action-packed yet utterly nonsensical blockbusters of the 21st century. The deadpan humor inspired a generation of filmmakers to believe that throwing in explosions and a vague plot is all you need for a hit. Spoiler alert: they were wrong.. Fact: Did you know that 'WRONG IS RIGHT' was originally pitched as 'It’s Complicated: The Action Movie'? Turns out, nobody wanted to see a man navigate a love triangle while defusing bombs!.
Wall Street Time Machine
The Right Call: If you'd invested $1,000 in any one of these companies in 1982, here's what the stored 2025 dataset estimates.
Rank #1
INTC
Intel
Price in 1982
$0.13
2025 dataset value
$274,575
Intel - If you invested $1,000 in 1982, it would be worth $274,575 today (274.6x return)
Rank #3
WMT
Walmart
Price in 1982
$0.06
2025 dataset value
$1,791,511
Walmart - If you invested $1,000 in 1982, it would be worth $1,791,511 today (1791.5x return)
🦸 Top 5 Comics
The Uncanny X-Men #168
$20.00
Marvel Graphic Novel #5
$95,000
Daredevil #181
$2,600
The New Teen Titans #21
$50
Cerebus #39
$300
🧸 Top 5 Toys
Rubik's Cube
$150.00
G.I. Joe: A Real American Hero
$143.75
My Little Pony
$150.00
Conway's Game of Life
$100.00
Advanced Dungeons & Dragons: Dungeon!
$150.00
🎮 Top 5 Video Games
Pac-Man
$1,500.00
Pitfall!
$1,000.00
Q*bert
$33,400
Pole Position
$120.00
E.T. The Extra-Terrestrial
$450.00
⚾ Notable Trading Cards
Cal Ripken Jr. Rookie Card
$3,000
Lawrence Taylor Rookie Card
$18,000.00
Joe Montana Second Year Card
$76,250.00
Donruss Diamond Kings Reggie Jackson
$140