Inventions & Breakthroughs of December 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 December 19, 1984
Full News Archive
- Headline: Farmers' Struggles in 'The River'. Impact: The film 'The River' sparked a nationwide existential crisis among farmers, leading to an unexpected rise in the popularity of crop-themed merchandise. Yes, folks, nothing says 'I empathize with your struggles' like a t-shirt that says 'I Love Corn.'. Fact: Did you know that after this film, farmers started organizing dramatic reenactments of their struggles? Spoiler alert: the crops always win..
- Headline: SCREEN: 'BREAKIN' 2' Dance Spectacle. Impact: Thanks to 'Breakin' 2,' community centers across America became dance battlegrounds, forever altering the course of local governance. Who knew that a well-timed spin could lead to municipal reforms?. Fact: Did you know that this movie resulted in an entire generation of kids thinking they could dance their way out of any problem? Turns out, you can't solve math homework with the moonwalk..
- Headline: FDIC's Bold Action Against Bank Directors. Impact: The ousting of the Continental Illinois directors set off a chain reaction that led to the rise of corporate sabotage as a legitimate career path. Look out future boardrooms—someone might just be plotting your downfall while sipping coffee.. Fact: Did you know that this unprecedented move was so shocking, even the board members were surprised? 'I thought we were just here for the free donuts,' one director was quoted as saying..
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