🧠 Inventions of 1984
Breakthroughs and everyday innovations from the year.
1 
Graphical User Interface Computer (Macintosh)
2 
Inkjet Printer (Consumer)
3 
Medical DNA Fingerprinting
4 
Compact Laptop Computer
5 
Digital Music Synthesizer
6 
Video Cassette Rental System
7 
Speech-to-Text Software
8 
Advanced Prosthetic Limb Control
9 
Optical Fiber Network Expansion
10 
Personal Desktop Publishing
The Sounds of
The biggest hits of the year — Top 10 Pop & Country chart toppers
HEADLINES ON January 29, 1984
Full News Archive
- Headline: A New Era for Steamboat Road. Impact: The revitalization of Steamboat Road could have led to a chain reaction of hipster coffee shops popping up, thus causing a sudden increase in ironic mustaches and kale smoothies across suburban America.. Fact: Fun fact: Steamboat Road isn’t actually a route for steamboats. Shocking, I know!.
- Headline: Artistic Integrity in Juried Exhibitions. Impact: This event could have inadvertently sparked a trend where every art exhibit is judged by reality TV stars, turning the art world into a dramatic competition filled with dramatic sobs over paint choices.. Fact: Did you know that art competitions often have more drama than a soap opera? Pass the popcorn!.
- Headline: BASKETBALL IS KEY FOR 3 IRISH VISITORS. Impact: The success of these Irish teen basketball players could have led to a cultural exchange where Irish pubs replaced sports bars, serving Guinness and encouraging patrons to discuss the finer points of the game—while doing the jig.. Fact: Fun fact: Basketball was invented in the U.S. and is now played worldwide, but really, who knew it could also lead to Irish dancing?.
- Headline: BASKETRY: AS OLD AS HISTORY. Impact: The fascination with basketry might have inspired a future generation of hipster artisans to create a basket weaving revival, giving rise to a new trend of baskets made of organic, gluten-free materials.. Fact: Did you know that basket weaving is one of humanity's oldest crafts? It's like the original Instagram craft project—minus the filters!.
Wall Street Time Machine
The Right Call: If you'd invested $1,000 in any one of these companies in 1984, here's what it would be worth in 2025.
Rank #1
WMT
Walmart
Price in 1984
$0.23
Value in 2025
$490,961
Walmart - If you invested $1,000 in 1984, it would be worth $490,961 today (491.0x return)
Rank #2
JNJ
Johnson & Johnson
Price in 1984
$0.94
Value in 2025
$222,603
Johnson & Johnson - If you invested $1,000 in 1984, it would be worth $222,603 today (222.6x return)
Rank #3
MCD
McDonald's
Price in 1984
$1.18
Value in 2025
$271,190
McDonald's - If you invested $1,000 in 1984, it would be worth $271,190 today (271.2x return)
🦸 Top 5 Comics
Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles #1
$100,000
Secret Wars #8
$150
The New Teen Titans #1
$200
Saga of the Swamp Thing #25
$60
Marvel Super Heroes Secret Wars #1
$300
🧸 Top 5 Toys
Transformers
$1,200.00
Cabbage Patch Kids
$150.00
Voltron
$200.00
Masters of the Universe: He-Man
$150.00
G.I. Joe: A Real American Hero
$143.75
🎮 Top 5 Video Games
Tetris
$1,000.00
Duck Hunt
$275.00
Marble Madness
$100.00
Boulder Dash
$100.00
Kung-Fu Master
$200.00
⚾ Top 5 Trading Cards
Don Mattingly Rookie Card #8
$3,000
Dan Marino Rookie Card #123
$30,000
John Elway Rookie Card #63
$15,250
Darryl Strawberry Rookie Card #182
$200
Hulk Hogan Rookie Card #1
$41,000