eighties factoids

[Cybrvanr]

I grew up in the eighties, and saw the creation of the many inventions we take for granted nowadays come to being, like VCR's, cell phones, home computers, etc. The history channel did a show tonight about eighties inventions. Here's some factoids I captured off the show!

The Apple "Lisa" was the first graphical based computer was introduced in 1982. It used 1MB of memory, which alone, cost $5000. The complete computer cost $12,000

If you were to take the coiled up tracks on a compact disk, it would extend for over 3 miles long.

The first CD player sold for $900 in 1984

The first Sony Walkman sold for $200 in 1980. Inflation adjusted, this would be enough money to buy 4 top of the line I-pods today

The first portable cell phone, the Motorla DynaTech in the 1980's cost about $2000 to purchase, and about $1 a minute to use

The Atari 2600 was actually introduced in 1977, and was manufactured for 13 years, with over 25 million manufactured. It didn't really catch on however until Space Invaders and Pac-man games were introduced in 1980

The first VHS decks cost close to $1200 and weighed over 50 pounds

The fastest rubick's cube was solved in 15 seconds, with 22 changes

 

[hooverwheelaway]

It just started again..

I'm watching it. It looks interesting!

 

[sudsmaster]

I bought my first computer in 1985. It was a CGA equipped 8088-2 (turbo mode increased the CPU speed from 4.77 MHz to 7.15 MHz, wow!), with a big 10 MB hard drive and all of 1 MB of memory. It cost me $3000. But it was a good investment, it got me started on a career change that lasted some 18 years, which paid well until the dot com bust came knocking at my door.

I still have it - it still works, at least the last time I plugged it in.

But the brand is relatively uncollectable - a Leading Edge made by Mitsubishi in Japan. Very nice workmanship, but not 100% compatible with the IBM PC standard.

 

[lavamat_jon]

The 80's were a great decade.

Especially 1988, which saw two members on this board come to this world. :-D.

Jon

(had to get that one in, Austin!!!)

 

[jasonl]

1988

1988 Was the year I got out of high school.

 

[DADoES]

I believe my first computer, an Atari 800, came along in 1982 or thereabouts. I know I'd already had it for a while in 1984.

 

[hoover1060]

1988

I bought my first new car that year... 1988 Buick Electra Estate wagon, complete with 3rd seat and woodgrain sides. Price back then was $20,500, Buick's 2nd most expensive car at the time.

I drove it until 1997.

2nd best car I have ever had

 

[myhooverco]

1988

Loved the factoids!

1988 was a great year...I learned to drive on my very own new to me 1977 Chevrolet Caprice Classic! I was a whiz at putting that HUGE car through the cones at the DMV.

--Tom

 

[super32]

Long live the 80's. 88' was the year I learned to drive. My mom at that time had a 79' Pont. LeMans, which we nick named the hover craft. I managed to keep it a straight line going down the road. 88' was also the year I got my first CD player. The $139.00 radio shack special. The first 2 CD's I bought was Whitney Houston and Cheap Trick. I had to go to the back of the record store past all the vinyls to find the 2'by2' Cd section. We got our first electric clothes dryer in 82' and our first microwave (amana eye level) in 84'. All the rest of lifes luxuries didnt come til the 90'.

Scott

 

[mr_sparkle]

OMG!!!!

I LOVED THE 80'S! Just waqtched today actually, SPACE CAMP, GOD Leaf PHOENIX!!!!!!!!!
LoL

I was the amazing age of 8 in 88, and I loved it! God I wish I could go back to the 80's and live my life was perfect then!

Its weird, I really dont just think its a case of loving the decade u grew uop in since I guess i was a teenager in the 90's, the 80's actually had some magic about them, I dont know what but it was an amazing age!

 

[sparkcymru]

80's rules

Oh how I wish I could go bak to the 80's. So much fun, Lots of Servis/Hoover computer controlled machines and such a fab range of Home computers were out which moved a few dots around the screen to start with then suddenly they brought out computers you could play games on and do all sorts of stuff. And then there was Dallas and Dynasty and the Colbys say no more... If only I had a time machine .......

Steve

 

[super32]

Ok now lets not forget the Golden Girls! That was some good 80's tv

Scott

 

[knitwits1975]

The Berlin Wall came down in 1989

 

[agiflow]

Who could forget in 1986 the challenger disaster.

 

[retroguy]

My very first car....

I was 16 and I had just gotten my license. The year was 1986, and my mother and grandmother took me to pick up my first car. It was a 1986 Oldsmobile Cutlass Supreme Brougham. 2 door, T - tops, full power, in autumn red firemist metallic. What a car!! What a time....I still have the car. It still runs well. But at $3 a gallon....well, at least the layer of dust it's sporting in the parking garage must be protecting the paint =)