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 30, 1985
Full News Archive
- Headline: The Impact of 'Godzilla 1985'. Impact: If Godzilla had taken acting lessons instead of rampaging through Tokyo, Hollywood might have avoided the disaster that was 'The Room.' Who knew monster movies could change the course of cinematic history?. Fact: Did you know that Godzilla's roar was created by rubbing a leather glove on a string of a double bass? Talk about a 'bass'-ic monster!.
- Headline: Dark Comedy Unfolds at the Movies. Impact: The dentist's untimely demise sparked a global trend where dental hygiene became synonymous with life insurance policies. Now everyone is brushing their teeth like their lives depend on it—because they just might!. Fact: Fun fact: The average dentist has about 100 tools to choose from, yet they still insist on using that one drill to scare you into flossing..
- Headline: Screening of 'Eureka' by Nicolas Roeg. Impact: The unfortunate combination of gold and misery led to a gold rush that left countless people broke and disillusioned. Who knew that striking it rich could also strike you out of happiness?. Fact: Did you know that the term 'Eureka' is often attributed to Archimedes? If he’d just stayed in the bathtub, he could have avoided a whole lot of drama—and a movie plot..
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