πŸ‡¬πŸ‡§United Kingdom Β· 80s

Big Bang and Big Hair

The City deregulates, Maradona scores twice, and Chernobyl's cloud drifts over.

What happened

4 milestones of 1986

Jun 22

Maradona's 'Hand of God'

Argentina's Maradona scored twice against England in the World Cup quarter-final β€” the 'Hand of God' (handball) and the 'Goal of the Century.' England was out. The nation fumed β€” and marvelled.

May

Chernobyl Fallout Reaches UK

Radioactive fallout from Chernobyl drifted over Britain. Welsh and Scottish hill farms were affected β€” sheep restrictions lasted 26 years.

Nuclear fallout β€” factual about real impact on British farmers

What was playing

70% local Β· 30% international

What was in cinemas

A Room with a View

A Room with a View

James Ivory β€” Still playing from 1985 release. Merchant Ivory at its peak.

Mona Lisa

Mona Lisa

Neil Jordan β€” Bob Hoskins in Soho's underworld. BAFTA-nominated brilliance.

Top Gun

Top Gun

Tony Scott β€” American blockbuster that dominated UK cinemas.

Highlander

Highlander

Russell Mulcahy β€” Major UK release β€” TMDB 6.9

Labyrinth

Labyrinth

Jim Henson β€” Major UK release β€” TMDB 7.3

What was on TV

The Singing Detective

1986 β€” Dennis Potter's masterpiece. Michael Gambon. BBC at its most ambitious.

Casualty

1986-present β€” BBC's medical drama launched. Still going strong.

World Cup coverage

Jun 1986 β€” Maradona's goals replayed endlessly. England mourned.

How much things cost

Currency: GBP

Pint of milk22p
Pint of bitter76p
Average houseΒ£36,276
Postage stamp17p

Inflation: 3.4%

Big Bang boom. Yuppie culture. London property prices surging. The North-South divide widening.

Then vs. Now

Inflation-adjusted values

Pint of milkONS
1986 (GBP)
22p
β†’
Today's value (Β£)
--
Pint of bitterBBPA
1986 (GBP)
76p
β†’
Today's value (Β£)
--
Average houseONS
1986 (GBP)
Β£36,276
β†’
Today's value (Β£)
--
Postage stampRoyal Mail
1986 (GBP)
17p
β†’
Today's value (Β£)
--

Technology

BBC Micro

Still in schools across Britain. An entire generation learned to code on it.

Amstrad PC1512

Alan Sugar's IBM-compatible PC brought computing to British homes.

VHS rental

Video rental shops on every high street. Friday night trips to Blockbuster.

Pop Culture

Fashion

Power dressing β€” padded shoulders, big hairYuppie style β€” red braces, brick mobile phonesAcid-washed denimFilofax as status symbol

Slang

Yuppieβ€” Young Urban Professional β€” the new elite
Loadsamoneyβ€” Flashy wealth (Harry Enfield character)
Sortedβ€” Done, arranged

Behavior

  • The City was the new rock 'n' roll β€” money worship began
  • Yuppies with mobile phones the size of bricks became a symbol
  • The divide between Thatcher's winners and losers deepened

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