Inventions & Breakthroughs of August 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 August 10, 1984
Full News Archive
- Headline: The Screen: Dagger and Spy Games. Impact: This imaginative boy, who was supposedly in hot water, would inadvertently inspire an entire generation of kids to start their own espionage clubs, leading to a spike in 'secret missions' and a lifelong distrust of the neighborhood watch.. Fact: Did you know that the original 'The Window' was so effective that it led to a nationwide increase in parental supervision? Ah, the irony!.
- Headline: Exploring 'Red Dawn' and WWIII Themes. Impact: The film's portrayal of a Soviet-held Colorado town sparked a nationwide fear of communism, leading to the 'Great Backyard Bunker Boom' of the 1980s. Little did they know that storing canned beans wouldn’t save them from impending doom.. Fact: Fun fact: 'Red Dawn' was so gung-ho that it inspired countless armchair warriors, resulting in an unprecedented rise in camo fashion trends. Because nothing says 'I’m ready for war' like looking good while hiding in the bushes!.
- Headline: Film Screening: Phar Lap's Legacy. Impact: Phar Lap's story not only made hearts race but also ignited a global horse racing craze, leading to the establishment of bizarre equestrian rituals, including the infamous 'Horse Whisperer' cult that believed they could commune with horses telepathically.. Fact: Did you know Phar Lap was so famous that his heart was actually larger than most horses? Just goes to show, sometimes you need a big heart to deal with all the racing drama!.
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