Inventions & Breakthroughs of August 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 August 23, 1985
Full News Archive
- Headline: SCREEN: 'WARNING SIGN' Unveiled. Impact: The film 'WARNING SIGN' not only made audiences wary of labs but also led to an unexpected surge in the popularity of conspiracy theories regarding government experiments. Fast forward a few decades, and you're left with an internet full of people convinced that every sneeze is a government plot.. Fact: Fun fact: Despite the film's ghastly premise, no one actually took a warning sign seriously until they saw it on a TikTok video..
- Headline: Screening of Godard's 'Detective'. Impact: Jean-Luc Godard's 'DETECTIVE' opened the floodgates for art-house films that made absolutely no sense. This led to hipsters in cafes discussing the color palette of their lattes as if it had a deeper meaning, forever changing coffee culture into a bizarre art critique.. Fact: Godard’s films are like that one pretentious friend who insists on explaining the meaning of life but never actually gets to the point. Just sip your coffee and nod..
- Headline: SCREEN: 'TEEN WOLD,' WITH MICHAEL J. FOX. Impact: Michael J. Fox’s 'TEEN WOLF' cemented the idea that high school popularity could be achieved by supernatural means, which inspired countless teenagers to consider a career in lycanthropy instead of academics. Because who needs grades when you can have fur?. Fact: Despite its premise, 'TEEN WOLF' did not lead to an actual rise in werewolf sightings, though many teens did start acting like animals in gym class..
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