Inventions & Breakthroughs of September 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 September 16, 1983
Full News Archive
- Headline: California Court Blocks GOP Districting Vote. Impact: This court ruling sent waves through California politics, leading to an endless cycle of gerrymandering debates. Fast forward to today, and you can trace the rise of amateur political cartoonists who now thrive on drawing absurd maps that look more like spaghetti than districts. Who knew that a court decision could inspire so much artistic creativity?. Fact: Did you know that California's Supreme Court has more power than a toddler with a crayon? It can literally redraw political boundaries and spark endless arguments about representation while drinking lattes!.
- Headline: Monster Power: A Strange Cinematic Journey. Impact: The release of 'Strange Invaders' kicked off a resurgence in nostalgic monster movie fandoms, ultimately leading to a bizarre series of cult film festivals where people dress as 1950s monsters and discuss the existential crisis of being a misunderstood creature. Because nothing says 'I have my life together' like dressing up as a giant lizard.. Fact: Did you know that 'Strange Invaders' is basically the reason why your friend who won't shut up about classic sci-fi movies exists? It’s like a cultural wormhole that sucked in all the weirdos!.
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