The 80s were a time of big hair, neon everything, and the dawn of the personal tech revolution. While we all remember the Walkman and the first clunky cell phones, there were countless other gadgets that pushed boundaries but didn’t quite get the spotlight they deserved. These forgotten gems were quirky, ambitious, and in some cases, way ahead of their time—laying the groundwork for tech we now take for granted. Let’s take a nostalgic dive into 15 tech gadgets from the 80s that were truly trailblazers.
1. Casio Databank Watch
Before smartwatches, there was the Casio Databank, a wristwatch that let you store phone numbers and appointments. It had a tiny keypad for entering data, making it the coolest “wearable” of the decade. A true precursor to the Apple Watch.
2. Commodore SX-64
The SX-64 was the first portable color computer. At 23 pounds, it was more “luggable” than portable, but it had a built-in screen and floppy disk drive, making it the dream machine for tech enthusiasts on the go.
3. Atari Portfolio
This pocket-sized computer debuted in 1989 and was one of the first true handheld PCs. It featured word processing, a spreadsheet app, and a whopping 128KB of storage. Bonus points if you remember it being used in Terminator 2: Judgment Day.
4. Sharp PC-5000
Before laptops became sleek and thin, the Sharp PC-5000 was a marvel of portable computing. Released in 1983, it featured a foldable screen and internal modem, foreshadowing the clamshell design we use today.
5. Sony Watchman
This portable TV was a dream for sports fans and news junkies. It let you watch live broadcasts on a tiny screen wherever you went—an analog-era glimpse into the streaming world we live in now.
6. Roland TR-808
Musicians knew the 808 as the gadget that transformed music. This drum machine, released in 1980, was the heart of countless hip-hop, electronic, and pop tracks. It was a revolution hiding in plain sight.
7. Toshiba T1100
One of the first laptops to run on batteries, the T1100 set the stage for mobile computing. It was compatible with MS-DOS and floppy disks, making it an instant favorite for business travelers.
8. View-Master Interactive Vision
This 1988 gadget combined a VHS player with interactive gameplay, making it an early attempt at immersive entertainment. It was like a rudimentary precursor to VR but with plastic cartridges and limited storylines.
9. Kodak Disc Camera
Kodak introduced the Disc Camera in 1982, featuring a flat, circular film cartridge instead of traditional rolls. It was compact and easy to use, though the image quality wasn’t great. Still, it hinted at today’s obsession with convenient, pocket-sized photography.
10. Vectrex Gaming Console
The Vectrex, released in 1982, was unique for its built-in monitor and vector graphics. Unlike other consoles, it delivered a mini-arcade experience at home. It didn’t last long but became a cult favorite.
11. Sony Mavica
This early digital camera stored images on floppy disks. Released in 1981, it was groundbreaking but clunky. Fast forward a few decades, and the Mavica’s digital image storage is now standard in every smartphone.
12. Kyocera VP-210
This 1989 gadget was technically the first camera phone, though it wasn’t a commercial hit. It came with a small display and could send still images, making it the ancestor of modern smartphones.
13. Sinclair ZX Spectrum
Known for its rubber keys and affordable price, the ZX Spectrum was a hit in Europe and brought home computing to the masses. Its colorful graphics were a big deal in the early 80s, inspiring the video game boom.
14. Pioneer LaserActive
This hybrid of a laserdisc player and video game console was launched in 1989. It could play games, movies, and even karaoke tracks, but its high price kept it from widespread success. It paved the way for multimedia devices we can’t live without today.
15. Intellivision Keyboard Component
Mattel’s Intellivision gaming system got an upgrade in the early 80s with this keyboard component, turning the console into a home computer. It was ambitious but too complicated for its own good, making it a short-lived dream for tech lovers.
The 80s were a fascinating time for tech—an era of bold ideas and quirky designs that didn’t always hit the mainstream but still shaped the gadgets we rely on today. These forgotten devices remind us of the excitement of owning something new, something futuristic, even if it weighed 20 pounds or relied on floppy disks. It’s a nostalgic testament to the decade’s pioneering spirit.
