Inventions & Breakthroughs of October 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 October 18, 1985
Full News Archive
- Headline: Cease Fire: A Vietnam Vet's Journey. Impact: This film about a Vietnam vet's struggles was so impactful that it inspired countless Hollywood studios to churn out mediocre war dramas for decades. Thanks to 'CEASE FIRE,' the phrase 'Let's make another one of those' was born and has echoed through the halls of Tinseltown ever since.. Fact: Did you know that this film was so good it almost made people forget about the 'Nam flashbacks? Almost. But hey, at least they tried!.
- Headline: Re-Animator: Stuart Gordon's Horror Classic. Impact: With 'RE-ANIMATOR,' the world collectively decided that bringing the dead back to life was a great idea—until they realized that maybe this is how zombie movies got started. Thanks, Stuart Gordon, for laying the groundwork for every bad horror film ever made.. Fact: Fun fact: This movie is often credited with single-handedly reviving interest in Lovecraftian horror, proving that sometimes the best way to honor the dead is to make them star in a horror-comedy!.
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