Inventions & Breakthroughs of December 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 December 16, 1982
Full News Archive
- Headline: Innovations in House Painting Tools. Impact: The introduction of better painting tools led to a nationwide obsession with DIY home improvement. This sparked the reality TV show craze, where people would watch others struggle with projects they thought would take two hours. Spoiler alert: it took six weeks and resulted in a kitchen that looked like a Jackson Pollock painting.. Fact: Did you know that the world's most expensive paintbrush was made with the hair of a rare Siberian animal? Just imagine the pressure of using it on a wall – 'Oh no, I splattered it with eggshell!'.
- Headline: The Journey of HERS. Impact: This family’s decision to move between states triggered a massive migration trend, inspiring countless others to leave their comfort zones. It led to the creation of support groups for people who couldn't figure out how to assemble IKEA furniture in new locations. Thanks for that.. Fact: Fun fact: New York City has more people living in it than some small countries. So, moving away from it might feel like you're abandoning a thriving metropolis for a quiet life – or just a really long road trip..
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