Jan 24
Apple Launches the Macintosh
Apple's '1984' Super Bowl ad (directed by Ridley Scott) introduced the Macintosh. The first mainstream computer with a graphical interface.
🇺🇸United States · 80s
Morning in America
Orwell's year — but Reagan's America chose optimism, MTV, and Apple.
What happened
4 milestones of 1984
Nov 6
Reagan Wins 49 States
Ronald Reagan won reelection in the largest electoral landslide in history — 525 to 13. 'Are you better off?' America said yes.
Jul 28 - Aug 12
Los Angeles Olympics
The US dominated the LA Olympics (83 gold medals) after the Soviet boycott. Carl Lewis won 4 golds. Mary Lou Retton became America's sweetheart.
Dec 3
Bhopal Disaster
A gas leak at Union Carbide's plant in Bhopal, India killed thousands. The worst industrial disaster in history — and an American company was responsible.
Industrial catastrophe — acknowledge ongoing suffering of victims
What was playing
70% local · 30% international
What was in cinemas
Beverly Hills Cop
Martin Brest — Eddie Murphy's star turn. Biggest box office of 1984.
Ghostbusters
Ivan Reitman — Who you gonna call? Bill Murray and the boys.
The Terminator
James Cameron — 'I'll be back.' Schwarzenegger became an icon.
The Karate Kid
John G. Avildsen — 'Wax on, wax off.' Every kid wanted to be Daniel-san.
Indiana Jones and the Temple of Doom
Steven Spielberg — Box office hit in the US — TMDB 7.3
What was on TV
The Cosby Show
1984-1992 — Debuted as #1 — the Huxtables became America's family.
Miami Vice
1984-1990 — Pastel suits, no socks, synth music. TV became cinematic.
Jeopardy! (Trebek era)
1984-2020 — Alex Trebek took over. 'What is...' entered the lexicon.
How much things cost
Currency: USD
Gallon of milk$2.24
Gallon of gas$1.13
Movie ticket$3.36
New car (avg)$10,689
Inflation: 4.3%
Reagan recovery in full swing. GDP grew 7.2%, the strongest year since the 1950s.
Then vs. Now
Inflation-adjusted values
Gallon of milkBLS
1984 (USD)
$2.24
→
Today's value ($)
--
Gallon of gasEIA
1984 (USD)
$1.13
→
Today's value ($)
--
Movie ticketNATO
1984 (USD)
$3.36
→
Today's value ($)
--
New car (avg)BLS
1984 (USD)
$10,689
→
Today's value ($)
--
Technology
Macintosh computer
Apple's graphical interface computer — $2,495 (about $7,000 today).
CD-ROMs
Compact disc technology began replacing floppy disks for data.
Tetris created
Alexey Pajitnov created Tetris in Moscow — it would conquer the world.
Pop Culture
Fashion
Neon everythingShoulder padsRay-Ban Wayfarers (Risky Business effect)Fingerless gloves
Slang
Rad— Really cool
Totally tubular— Awesome (surfer slang gone mainstream)
Like, totally— Valley Girl speak went national
Behavior
- MTV was the most powerful cultural force for teens
- Breakdancing swept from the streets to the suburbs
- The 'Just Say No' anti-drug campaign launched
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