The top commercial technological breakthroughs of the 1980's

Though the Atari 2600 was the most popular home video game system in 1980-1982, it was ColecoVision that brought the arcade experience to your couch. Nintendo further improved things with their Nintendo NES system in the late 1980's. Computers were around for decades, but became affordable in the 1980's. Systems like the Commodore 64 and the Apple 2E may seem like duds now, but were considered very powerful and futuristic in the 1980s. The VHS format was developed in the 1970's, but definitely took over in teh 1980's. By the middle of the decade, almost every home had a VHS player and recorder. View the list »
Sony Walkman

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The 1980's brought us a lot of new technological products as consumers were now able to purchase affordable microwave ovens, VHS machines, portable video game systems, etc. Let's take a look at the five most important consumer technological breakthroughs of the 1980's.

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  • The VHS format was developed in the 1970's, but definitely took over in teh 1980's. By the middle of the decade, almost every home had a VHS player and recorder. 
  • Computers were around for decades, but became affordable in the 1980's. Systems like the Commodore 64 and the Apple 2E may seem like duds now, but were considered very powerful and futuristic in the 1980s. 
  • Though the Atari 2600 was the most popular home video game system in 1980-1982, it was ColecoVision that brought the arcade experience to your couch. Nintendo further improved things with their Nintendo NES system in the late 1980's. 
  • Compact disc players revolutionized the music industry in the 1980's and allowed crisp stereo sound. Though 8-track and cassette players were still very popular at the beginning of the decade, the compact disc took over by 1989. 
  • Sony released the very first Walkman in the early 1980s and it is considered one of the most important technological inventions ever. Listening to your favorite musical cassettes while jogging or taking a long walk was unheard of  before the Walkman came around. 
View the list

, LA Gadgets Examiner

Daryl Deino has been a gadget freak for the past 15 years and has written about computers, cell phones, MP3 players and other gadgets for several different sites. He often gets to try out new gadgets before they hit the market. If you have any tips or need advice, please email him at report345...

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