Inventions & Breakthroughs of February 1983
Gadgets, lab surprises, odd bets, and future-shocks from this slice of the calendar.
1 
Cellular Telephone Commercial Launch
2 
Domain Name System (DNS)
3 
Personal Computer Mouse
4 
Compact Disc-ROM
5 
Artificial Intelligence Expert Systems
6 
Global Positioning System Deployment
7 
Portable CD Player (Discman)
8 
Medical Laser Eye Surgery
9 
Computer-Aided Drug Design
10 
Electronic Trading Systems
The Sounds of
Popular recordings and roots/country selections associated with the year
HEADLINES ON February 9, 1983
Full News Archive
- Headline: Making Painting Painless and Productive. Impact: This article sparked a global movement towards DIY home improvement, leading to the rise of reality TV shows about home renovation. Who knew that a paint job could inspire millions to embarrass themselves on national television?. Fact: Did you know that the world's most expensive paint color is 'YInMn Blue'? It costs about $180 per ounce! So, if you ever feel like your walls need a little something extra, just remember—money can’t buy happiness, but it can buy overpriced paint..
- Headline: The Future of Oil Prices in 1981. Impact: The declining oil prices set off a chain reaction of economic events, including the rise of electric cars. If oil had stayed high, we might still be driving gas-guzzling monsters instead of those awkwardly silent electric vehicles that make you question if they’re really cars or just oversized golf carts.. Fact: Fun fact: The first electric car was built in the 1830s! So, while we’re all patting ourselves on the back for being eco-friendly, let’s remember that we’ve had over 150 years to get it right. Whoops!.
- Headline: Innovative Marine Hardware for Homes. Impact: This hardware innovation led to a renaissance of repurposing items around the house, eventually resulting in the trend of upcycling. Thanks to this friend’s bright idea, millions of people now have weirdly nautical-themed homes that feel more like a pirate ship than a cozy abode.. Fact: Ever wondered why sailors make great DIYers? It’s because they have to fix everything with duct tape and sheer willpower! So next time you see a sailor, thank them for their contribution to home improvement—one makeshift repair at a time..
Wall Street Time Machine
The Right Call: If you'd invested $1,000 in any one of these companies in 1983, here's what the stored 2025 dataset estimates.
Rank #2
WMT
Walmart
Price in 1983
$0.15
2025 dataset value
$784,047
Walmart - If you invested $1,000 in 1983, it would be worth $784,047 today (784.0x return)
Rank #3
JNJ
Johnson & Johnson
Price in 1983
$1.11
2025 dataset value
$188,194
Johnson & Johnson - If you invested $1,000 in 1983, it would be worth $188,194 today (188.2x return)
🦸 Top 5 Comics
The New Teen Titans #1
$150
Saga of the Swamp Thing #20
$50
Detective Comics #526
$15
Thor #337
$50
Miracleman #2
$1,500
🧸 Top 5 Toys
Cabbage Patch Kids
$150.00
My Little Pony
$150.00
He-Man and the Masters of the Universe
$150.00
G.I. Joe: A Real American Hero
$175.00
Star Wars Return of the Jedi Action Figures
$150.00
🎮 Top 5 Video Games
Mario Bros.
$600.00
Dragon'S Lair
$200.00
M.U.L.E.
$182.44
Lode Runner
$115.00
Tapper
$150.00
⚾ Top 5 Trading Cards
1983 Topps Baseball Tony Gwynn Rookie Card
$2,500
1983 Topps Baseball Ryne Sandberg Rookie Card
$1,560.00
1983 Topps Baseball Wade Boggs Rookie Card
$1,500
1983 O-Pee-Chee Wrestling Hulk Hogan Card
$1,000
1983 Donruss Baseball Three’s Company - Ripken, Hrabosky, And Fingers (Card #654)
Unknown