80 Fascinating Facts About the Legendary 1980s

The 1980s were a revolutionary decade, introducing innovations and cultural icons that remain integral to modern life. From the advent of personal computers and the rise of Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles films to the era of hefty two-pound mobile phones, this period was both peculiar and enchanting. Its enduring appeal is fueled by our love for nostalgia, and here are 80 lesser-known facts about this iconic era.

1. Toni Basil was 38 when she released the hit song "Mickey."

The 1982 track "Mickey" became a cheerleading staple, largely due to its iconic music video. Despite its youthful energy, Toni Basil was well beyond her high school years when she recorded it. Interestingly, the song was initially titled "Kitty," but producers altered it to focus on a male subject.

2. Hacky sacks were incredibly popular in the 1980s, but their origins date back much further.

While hacky sacks became a cultural phenomenon in the 1980s, their history traces back to 3000 BCE, when Chinese Emperor Wong Ti enjoyed kicking a leather ball stuffed with hair.

3. Casey Kasem walked away from the Transformers cartoon due to a racially insensitive script.

Casey Kasem, the iconic DJ and voice actor, portrayed Cliffjumper in the Transformers series. However, he resigned after encountering a script featuring a stereotypical Arab character named Abdul, King of Carbombya. Despite his departure, the episodes were still produced.

4. The Walkman owes part of its name to Clark Kent.

The Walkman drew its name from the Pressman audio recorder, famously featured in Superman. Initially, Sony marketed it as the Sound-About in the U.S. and the Stowaway in the U.K.

5. Waterbeds were a highly sought-after luxury during the 1980s.

By 1987, waterbeds accounted for 20 percent of all mattress sales, with the industry reaching a staggering $2 billion in value.

6. Roald Dahl faced an existential dilemma while penning Matilda.

Roald Dahl faced significant challenges while creating the book-loving protagonist of Matilda, as he genuinely feared that books were losing their appeal. Thankfully, his concerns proved unfounded.

7. Massachusetts celebrates April 24th as "New Kids On The Block Day."

While Michael Dukakis is best known for his defeat in the 1988 presidential race against George H.W. Bush, his legacy includes lesser-known achievements, such as proclaiming April 24, 1989, as "New Kids On the Block Day" in Massachusetts.

8. Buffy was nearly the one to train Luke Skywalker.

In initial drafts of The Empire Strikes Back, Yoda was referred to as Buffy. Imagine a Jedi who also slays vampires?

9. Fans could own the iconic phone from their favorite TV show.

Back in 1984, a lip-shaped phone, similar to the one D.J. used on Full House, was priced at $70. Today, landline phones are rarely considered, and few will experience the joy of talking on quirky designs like hamburger, banana, Mickey Mouse, or transparent phones with visible internal wiring. A lip phone now costs around $20 today.

10. The crimping iron was created by Barbra Streisand's hairstylist.

Geri Cusenza, Barbra Streisand's stylist, created the crimping iron after spending hours braiding and unbraiding Streisand's hair for a photo shoot. This invention sparked a hairstyle trend that dominated the 1980s.

11. Ms. Pac-Man debuted with a rather ... unique tagline.

Upon her introduction in 1982, Ms. Pac-Man's tagline declared her "The new femme fatale of the game world." Bold choice, indeed.

12. Jolt Cola's slogan became iconic.

Launched in 1985, Jolt Cola stuck with the slogan "all the sugar and twice the caffeine" for 24 years. In the late 2000s, they switched to "Maximum caffeine, more power," which lacked the same memorable impact.

13. DC Comics graciously allowed The Karate Kid to retain its title.

Before the film The Karate Kid, the name belonged to an entirely different DC Comics superhero. Columbia Pictures acknowledged DC Comics in the movie's credits for permitting the use of the name.

14. Christian Bale once starred in ads for Pac-Man cereal.

In the 1980s, Christian Bale appeared in a commercial for Pac-Man cereal, paving the way for his future autobiography title: From Pac-Man to Batman.

15. Many bestselling books from the era were ghostwritten.

Ghostwriting was widespread in the 1980s, particularly in series targeting tweens and teens. For instance, Anne M. Martin, the Baby-sitter's Club author, ghostwrote the first Sweet Valley Twins book, while Peter Lerangis, the Sweet Valley Twins author, ghostwrote 43 Baby-sitter's Club books.

16. Olivia Newton-John’s hit Physical was initially intended for a male rock star.

Songwriter Steve Kipner revealed that Physical was originally crafted for a "macho male rock figure like Rod Stewart." Olivia Newton-John even worried the song might be too risqué after recording it.

17. The Razzies originated from a disastrous movie double feature.

After watching a double feature of Can't Stop the Music and Xanadu, publicist John J.B. Wilson was inspired to create the Golden Raspberry Awards, or "The Razzies." These satirical awards for cinematic failures were first handed out at his Oscar-themed house party.

18. Halley's Comet was first captured by spacecraft in 1986.

First recorded by Chinese astronomers in 239 BCE, Halley's Comet won't be visible from Earth again until 2061.

19. Carrying a boombox required some serious muscle.

Fred Brathwaite, a boombox expert, noted that these devices were so hefty that "some people who carried them regularly developed huge forearms and biceps." Certain models weighed up to 26 pounds.

20. You’re a huge admirer of Project II, even if you don’t realize it.

During the creation of Care Bears, American Greetings kept them under wraps, referring to them as "Project II." Interestingly, Project I was the beloved Strawberry Shortcake.

21. Strawberry Shortcake conventions continued well into the 2000s.

Interestingly, Strawberry Shortcake hosted her own annual convention in Cleveland, starting in 2003 and continuing for over ten years.

22. A soap opera played a key role in Rick Springfield's rise to international fame.

In 1981, Rick Springfield joined General Hospital after releasing his album "Working Class Dog." With the show attracting 14 million daily viewers, it’s no surprise that Jesse's Girl soared to number one that year—his only single to achieve this feat.

23. There’s a museum dedicated to Rainbow Brite.

Dreams do come true—there’s a Rainbow Brite museum in North Carolina showcasing 1500 pieces of memorabilia from one woman’s extensive collection.

24. Nintendo secured store placements with an irresistible deal.

In 1985, to persuade New York City retailers to stock the Nintendo Entertainment System, a Nintendo executive offered a no-risk deal: unsold units could be returned at no cost. That holiday season, they sold 50,000 units.

25. Simon Le Bon landed his role as lead singer thanks to leopard print.

Simon Le Bon arrived at his Duran Duran audition wearing pink leopard-print pants. Nick Rhodes remarked, "Anyone who looks that ridiculous is definitely the right choice."

26. Eddie Murphy's first music album was co-produced by Rick James and Stevie Wonder.

The production of Eddie Murphy's album "How Could It Be" exceeded half a million dollars, featuring the notoriously catchy yet poorly received single Party All the Time, which is now stuck in your head. You're welcome.

27. The characters in Jem And The Holograms were inspired by actual scientists.

The surnames of Jem (also known as Jerrica Benton) and the Holograms were borrowed from real-life scientists who contributed to hologram technology.

28. Don't Worry, Be Happy continues to bring joy to listeners.

The 1988 hit Don't Worry, Be Happy remains beloved by many, including Hillary Clinton, who received a teddy bear that plays the song from former Secretary of State George Schultz. Her memoir reveals, "I kept it in my office, initially as a joke, but occasionally, squeezing the bear and hearing the song genuinely lifted my spirits."

29. Lisa Frank uses her own custom ink formula.

This unique blend enhances colors, making them more vibrant.

30. Members Only jackets were a massive trend.

Another iconic brand of the 80s was Members Only, which thrived thanks to their signature jackets, generating $100 million annually.

31. Hairspray played a role in reviving the popularity of hairspray.

In 2002, Aqua Net Hairspray experienced an unexpected resurgence when the musical Hairspray, inspired by John Waters' 1988 film, debuted on Broadway. The show, set in 1960s Baltimore, became a fashion statement in its own right—a nod to Waters' unique perspective.

32. Jon Bon Jovi initially disliked Livin' On A Prayer.

Speaking of hairspray: Jon Bon Jovi initially disliked "Livin' on a Prayer" and nearly removed it from the Slippery When Wet album. Ironically, it became their first chart-topping hit.

33. Two iconic '80s fashion trends originated long before the decade.

Shoulder pads in women's clothing surged in popularity during the 1980s, thanks to shows like Dynasty and films like Working Girl. However, designer Elsa Schiaparelli first introduced the style in the 1930s. Similarly, hair perming has been around since 1872.

34. "Mr. T" is not a stage name—it’s his real name.

At 18, Laurence Tureaud legally adopted the name Mr. T, as he wanted to be addressed with the respect of "Mister," a title he felt was often denied to Black men.

35. Baby Animal from The Muppet Babies was voiced by two well-known actors.

Both Dave Coulier and Howie Mandel provided the voice for Animal on Muppet Babies, making it an even more memorable show.

36. Cheers had a rocky beginning.

The Cheers premiere in 1982 ranked near the bottom in ratings, but its finale 11 years later attracted 80.4 million viewers.

37. ALF was a massive hit in Germany.

The sitcom ALF gained immense popularity in Germany, even leading to the theft of road signs in the city of Alf. Surprisingly, the show's success also inspired ALF to release popular hip-hop records.

38. John Hughes penned Sixteen Candles specifically for Molly Ringwald before they had even met.

John Hughes wrote Sixteen Candles after receiving a stack of actresses' headshots from an agent, including one of Molly Ringwald. Inspired by her photo, he placed it above his desk and completed most of the script over a single weekend.

39. John Hughes penned Ferris Bueller's Day Off in just six days.

Hughes was known for his speedy writing. The script for Ferris Bueller's Day Off was completed in six days as he rushed to beat an impending writer's strike.

40. Most members of Run DMC weren't fond of the name "Run DMC."

Russell Simmons, Joseph "Run" Simmons's brother, who played a key role in promoting the band and producing their first single, coined the name "Run DMC." However, the rest of the group strongly disliked it, preferring names like "The Devastating Two" or "The Dynamic Two MCs."

41. Gelly Roll pens share an unexpected connection with gluten-free baking.

Gelly Roll pens were created in the 1980s, but perfecting the ink formula was a challenge. Early experiments included ingredients like grated yam and egg whites. The breakthrough came when a team member saw an ad for xanthan gum, a food additive that became the key ingredient.

42. The Terminator's most famous line was originally meant to be "I'll come back."

The iconic line "I'll be back" from the Terminator series appeared as "I'll come back" in the movie's novelization. Interestingly, the original script also used "I'll come back" before it was changed.

43. Jane Fonda played a role in making leg warmers fashionable.

Jane Fonda is often credited—or blamed—for the leg warmers trend. She wore them in her debut workout video and promoted them as a way to "feel like athletes."

44. Jennifer Beals unintentionally started the trend of ripped sweatshirts.

The movie Flashdance not only popularized leg warmers but also introduced the collarless sweatshirt. Jennifer Beals accidentally shrunk a sweatshirt in the dryer, cut the collar to make it fit, and wore it to her audition. This improvised style became iconic in the film.

45. The widely used "Baby On Board" signs may have had unintended consequences.

In the 1980s, car stickers reading "Baby on Board" were everywhere. However, a 2012 study found that one in 20 drivers claimed these stickers blocked their view and contributed to accidents.

46. The earliest known emoticon dates back to 1982.

Computer scientist Scott E. Fahlman introduced emoticons as a way to convey lightheartedness in online message boards. :-)

47. The Clapper wasn’t the only product with its catchy jingle.

While The Clapper is famous for its jingle, the same tune was used earlier in the 1980s for a Sine-Off cold medicine commercial.

48. Slash nearly became a member of Poison.

Before joining Guns N' Roses, Slash auditioned for Poison but quickly realized he wasn’t a fit after they asked if he’d wear makeup.

49. Richard Page nearly became Toto's lead singer.

Richard Page, the lead singer of Mr. Mister, declined offers to front both Toto and Chicago, holding out for Mr. Mister’s success. His thoughts on "Africa" by Toto remain a mystery.

50. Van Halen’s infamous "M&M" request served a practical purpose.

In the 1980s, Van Halen famously demanded a bowl of M&Ms with no brown candies backstage. This wasn’t a diva move—it was a test to ensure venues thoroughly read their contract riders. Brown M&Ms signaled a lack of attention to detail, potentially indicating unsafe technical setups.

51. Fraggle Rock marked HBO’s first original series.

Fraggle Rock was HBO’s inaugural original show. While it shared the creativity of modern HBO series, it featured less violence than Game of Thrones, fewer drugs than Euphoria, and just as much intrigue as Succession.

52. The Pee-Wee's Playhouse theme song was performed by a famous artist.

Cyndi Lauper! She shared in her autobiography that she sang the theme song for the quirky show.

53. Neil Armstrong declined MTV’s request.

When MTV launched in the 1980s, they sought to use Neil Armstrong’s iconic "One Small Step" quote from the moon landing. Armstrong refused, so they added a beeping sound over footage of the Apollo 11 mission instead.

54. The Beastie Boys were Madonna’s opening act.

Madonna’s debut tour featured the Beastie Boys as the opening act, though they were often booed for their explicit lyrics. Surprisingly, this worked in Madonna’s favor, as the audience’s dislike for the opener made them even more excited for the headliner.

55. "Fight For Your Right" was intended as a parody.

The Beastie Boys wrote "(You Gotta) Fight for Your Right (to Party)" as a satirical take on rock anthems (hence the parentheses). It was meant as a joke, and they even refused to perform it live.

56. The publisher of Bright Lights, Big City doubted its potential due to its setting.

While Jay McInerney was writing Bright Lights, Big City, his publisher claimed that no great American novels were set in New York. McInerney likely responded, "Have you read The Great Gatsby?"

57. The Polaroid camera was inspired by a three-year-old.

Every trendy '80s kid owned a Polaroid 660. The brand was founded in 1944 by Edwin H. Land after his three-year-old daughter wondered why she couldn’t see a photo immediately after it was taken. Land solved the issue, eventually becoming a billionaire. Moral of the story? Listen to your kids.

58. The Ghostbusters team created three Stay Puft Marshmallow Man suits.

The Stay Puft Marshmallow Man suit for Ghostbusters cost $20,000 to make. The crew produced three suits, all of which were destroyed during filming.

59. Dr. Ruth nearly appeared in Dirty Dancing.

Eleanor Bergstein, the writer and producer of Dirty Dancing, was friends with Dr. Ruth. Bergstein wanted to cast Dr. Ruth as Mrs. Schumacher, but Dr. Ruth turned down the role upon discovering the character was a thief.

60. Doc Brown nearly had a chimpanzee as a sidekick.

Early versions of Back to the Future featured Doc Brown with a chimpanzee. However, a Universal executive vetoed the idea, claiming no movie with a chimp had ever been profitable. This overlooked classics like Ronald Reagan’s Bedtime for Bonzo. The chimp, named Shemp, was ultimately cut.

61. Miami Vice initially didn’t use a real Ferrari.

On Miami Vice, Sonny Crockett’s car was initially a Corvette modified to resemble a Ferrari. Later, Ferrari provided the show with a Testarossa.

62. A book defined what "real men" supposedly don’t do.

In the 1980s, the book Real Men Don't Eat Quiche spent 55 weeks on the New York Times bestseller list. It claimed real men avoid meaningful conversations, sunbathing, light beer, gold chains, and clothing with more than three zippers.

63. Chicken McNuggets didn’t exist until 1981.

Believe it or not, Chicken McNuggets didn’t exist in America until the 1980s. They debuted in test markets in 1981. Interestingly, they reportedly come in only four shapes: the boot, the ball, the bow tie, and the bell.

64. Michael Jackson’s Beat It featured a legendary guitarist.

Eddie Van Halen! He played the iconic guitar solo in Michael Jackson’s Beat It as a favor to Quincy Jones, free of charge. The solo lasts just 20 seconds.

65. Thriller nearly included a Fred Astaire cameo.

Fred Astaire was almost cast as a zombie in Michael Jackson’s Thriller music video. He even attended a rehearsal for the role.

66. Pat Benatar pushed the boundaries of music videos.

Pat Benatar’s Love Is a Battlefield music video was groundbreaking for including spoken dialogue. Early in the narrative, her character, a rebellious teen, is told by her father, "Forget about coming back," if she leaves home.

67. Spandex is an anagram of expands.

A perfect match for the stretchy, synthetic material.

68. Paula Abdul choreographed for both ZZ Top and Janet Jackson.

Some incredible collaborations. Abdul choreographed ZZ Top’s Velcro Fly in 1985, and her 1986 work on Janet Jackson’s Nasty cemented her reputation as a top-tier choreographer. She also created the massive dance sequence in Coming to America.

69. The creator of the Rubik’s Cube had trouble solving it.

Don’t feel too discouraged. After inventing the colorful cube, Erno Rubik was captivated by its beauty, remarking, "It was tremendously satisfying to watch this color parade." He then spent a month figuring out how to solve it. With over 43 quintillion possible combinations, a month isn’t bad. Rubik also offered a solution for those who can’t solve it: simply enjoy the colorful display.

70. Hair mousse gets its name from the French word for foam.

Hair mousse was created in France and gained popularity in North America during the 1980s, thanks to L'Oreal.

71. The writer of Heathers envisioned Stanley Kubrick as the director.

Daniel Waters originally penned Heathers as a three-hour dark comedy, hoping Stanley Kubrick would direct it. Kubrick, however, didn’t take on the project or any film after 1987’s Full Metal Jacket until his final movie, 1999’s Eyes Wide Shut.

72. Rick Allen’s mother helped him land his role in Def Leppard.

Rick Allen became Def Leppard’s drummer at just 14 after his mother replied to the band’s ad on his behalf. He competed against two others, including the band’s original drummer, who wanted his old job back.

73. Prince penned Manic Monday.

The Bangles’ hit Manic Monday was written by Prince under the alias Christopher. This was before he adopted his famous symbol. He also composed "Nothing Compares 2 U" for Sinead O’Connor and songs for Alicia Keys, Chaka Khan, and others.

74. Quoting Top Gun at Topgun can result in a fine.

At the U.S. Navy Fighter Weapons School (TOPGUN), quoting Top Gun reportedly costs $5 per instance. While strict, it’s a small price to pay for dropping iconic lines like "I feel the need for speed" during training.

75. Ray-Ban benefited greatly from Top Gun.

On the flip side, Ray-Ban Aviator sales surged by 40 percent after Val Kilmer’s memorable scenes with Tom Cruise in Top Gun.

76. Reese’s Pieces saw a boost thanks to E.T.

While impressive, Reese’s Pieces saw a 65 percent increase in sales after E.T. was released. The original script had Elliot using M&Ms to lure the alien, but Mars declined the opportunity, missing out on a major marketing win.

77. Wendy’s dismissed the "Where’s The Beef?" actress for disloyalty.

Clara Peller, famous for her "Where’s the beef?" line in Wendy’s ads, was fired after appearing in a Prego spaghetti sauce commercial where she declared, "I found it!"

According to Wendy’s, her statement implied "that Clara found the beef somewhere other than Wendy’s." Everyone knows Wendy’s is the only place for the beef.

78. Counterfeit Cabbage Patch Kids became a serious issue for the FBI.

While parents were frantically searching for Cabbage Patch Kid dolls, the FBI was cracking down on thousands of counterfeit versions that were sold cheaply and had "a strong chemical odor." A major operation was uncovered when customs officials intercepted 240 fake dolls being smuggled from Canada into Michigan.

79. Uncle Phil from The Fresh Prince of Bel-Air voiced Shredder in the Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles cartoon.

The late James Avery, known as Will Smith’s wise and patient uncle in The Fresh Prince of Bel-Air, also lent his voice to the ruthless villain Shredder in the late-80s animated series Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles. Use this trivia to win $5 bets with your friends.

80. The recording session for the star-studded anthem We Are the World went on until 3 a.m.

Stevie Wonder planned to record a verse in Swahili and was awaiting a call for accurate pronunciations. When the call finally arrived, Ray Charles remarked, "It’s three in the morning. Swahili? Hell—I can’t even sing in English anymore."