Inventions & Breakthroughs of May 1984
Gadgets, lab surprises, odd bets, and future-shocks from this slice of the calendar.
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
Popular recordings and roots/country selections associated with the year
HEADLINES ON May 14, 1984
Full News Archive
- Headline: Chiat and Ogilvy Shine at Andy Awards. Impact: The Andy Awards sparked a creativity explosion in advertising, leading to the eventual creation of ads that would convince you to buy a product you never knew you needed, like an inflatable toaster. Thanks, Chiat and Ogilvy!. Fact: Did you know that advertising is just a fancy way of saying, 'Let me manipulate your desires into a purchase'? You’re welcome!.
- Headline: Study Critiques Science News Reporting. Impact: This study ignited a revolution in journalistic integrity, where news outlets began to fact-check their sources. Fast forward a few decades, and we’re now in a world where ‘fake news’ is a common term, leaving us all wondering if we can trust anyone, including our own reflections.. Fact: Did you know that exaggeration in reporting goes all the way back to the invention of the printing press? Some things never change!.
- Headline: Neoconservative Views on Politics and Foreign Policy. Impact: Midge Decter’s comments reaffirmed the neoconservative stance in America, which led to a series of foreign policy decisions that would eventually result in some of the most questionable military actions in history. Hooray for hindsight!. Fact: Did you know that 'hawkish' means 'let's bomb everything'? Just a fun little political tidbit!.
- Headline: AT 15, THE PADRES COME OF AGE. Impact: The Padres coming of age marked the beginning of a turbulent love-hate relationship with their fans, leading to decades of ups and downs that would earn them a reputation for being the lovable losers of baseball. Thanks, guys!. Fact: Did you know that the phrase 'M and M' can cause PTSD for some players? Just ask McReynolds. Poor guy can't even enjoy a candy without flinching!.
Wall Street Time Machine
The Right Call: If you'd invested $1,000 in any one of these companies in 1984, here's what the stored 2025 dataset estimates.
Rank #1
WMT
Walmart
Price in 1984
$0.23
2025 dataset value
$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
2025 dataset value
$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
2025 dataset value
$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