Inventions & Breakthroughs of April 1985
Gadgets, lab surprises, odd bets, and future-shocks from this slice of the calendar.
1 
Windows Operating System
2 
CD-ROM Drive
3 
Genetic Engineering Tool (PCR)
4 
Mobile Laptop Computer
5 
Digital Cellular Network
6 
Automated Manufacturing Cells
7 
Home Video Camcorder
8 
Medical Laser Lithotripsy
9 
Computer Animation Software
10 
Electronic Music Sampling Keyboard
The Sounds of
Popular recordings and roots/country selections associated with the year
HEADLINES ON April 11, 1985
Full News Archive
- Headline: Exploring 'Sylvia' by Michael Firth. Impact: If only Sylvia Ashton-Warner had created a reality show instead of writing! Fast forward to today, and we might have a series called 'Maori Kids & Their Unconventional Teachers,' complete with dramatic plot twists and Instagram influencers. Who knew education could be so marketable?. Fact: Sylvia Ashton-Warner was known for her innovative teaching methods, which included using the children's own words for literacy. Imagine if TikTok had existed back then—'Teaching Tips with Sylvia' would have gone viral!.
- Headline: Cherrywood Finishes Shine with Shellac. Impact: The success of cherry wood's popularity could have caused a global shortage, leading to the rise of black market furniture. Picture this: secret cherry wood auctions held in dimly lit back rooms. 'I'll trade you my cherry dining table for... two of your finest oak chairs!'. Fact: Cherry wood is often considered a 'luxury' wood, but let's be real—who decided that? Was it the same folks who declared kale a superfood? Next thing you know, they'll be selling 'cherry-flavored' air fresheners for $50..
- Headline: TERRA COTTA ON DISPLAY. Impact: Had terra cotta arches become the next big thing, we could have seen a resurgence of ancient architectural styles in modern skyscrapers. Imagine if every office building had a terra cotta façade—'Welcome to the 21st century, where your cubicle feels like a Roman villa!'. Fact: Terra cotta has been used since ancient times, but apparently, we still haven't figured out how to pronounce it correctly. Is it 'terra cotta' or 'terracotta'? Either way, it’s definitely not 'that orange stuff.'.
Wall Street Time Machine
The Right Call: If you'd invested $1,000 in any one of these companies in 1985, here's what the stored 2025 dataset estimates.
Rank #1
JNJ
Johnson & Johnson
Price in 1985
$0.84
2025 dataset value
$246,803
Johnson & Johnson - If you invested $1,000 in 1985, it would be worth $246,803 today (246.8x return)
Rank #2
MCD
McDonald's
Price in 1985
$1.32
2025 dataset value
$242,284
McDonald's - If you invested $1,000 in 1985, it would be worth $242,284 today (242.3x return)
Rank #3
AAPL
Apple
Price in 1985
$0.10
2025 dataset value
$2,853,286
Apple - If you invested $1,000 in 1985, it would be worth $2,853,286 today (2853.3x return)
🦸 Top 5 Comics
Crisis on Infinite Earths #1
$50
The Dark Knight Returns #1
$50
Secret Wars #8
$150
Albedo Anthropomorphics #2
$300
Love and Rockets #1
$250
🧸 Top 5 Toys
Teddy Ruxpin
$300.00
Care Bears Plush
$250.00
M.A.S.K. (Mobile Armored Strike Kommand)
$250.00
My Buddy Doll
$700.00
Super Powers Collection
$300.00
🎮 Top 5 Video Games
Super Mario Bros.
$1,000.00
Duck Hunt
$275.00
Excitebike
$50.00
Choplifter
$80.00
Gauntlet
$50.00
⚾ Top 5 Trading Cards
1985 Nike Promo Michael Jordan Rookie Card
$18,000
1985 Topps Mark McGwire USA Baseball Rookie Card #401
$2,000
1985 Garbage Pail Kids Adam Bomb #8a
$189.95
1985 Donruss Shawon Dunston Rated Rookie #43
$150
1985 Star Michael Jordan Rookie Card #101
$480,000