By the Numbers in 1985
World Population
—
UK Life Expectancy
57.7 years
US Life Expectancy
58.0 years
Gold Price (per oz)
$498.03
Dow Jones Index
1,859
US National Debt
—
Sovereign Nations
169
How Much Did Things Cost in 1985?
| Item | UK | US |
|---|---|---|
| Average house price | £31,000 | $75,500 |
| Average salary | £9,300 | $24,200 |
| Pint of milk | 23p | $0.62 |
| Loaf of bread | 44p | $0.57 |
| Gallon of petrol/gas | £1.75 | $1.12 |
| Pint of beer | 55p | $1.30 |
| Dozen eggs | 65p | $0.80 |
| Cinema ticket | £2.10 | $3.55 |
Technology and Inventions in 1985
The first .com domain name was registered (symbolics.com). The Nintendo Entertainment System launched in the US, reviving the home console market. Microsoft released Windows 1.0 to a lukewarm reception. Mobile phones remained rare and expensive luxury items.
- ● First .com domain name registered (symbolics.com)
- ● Nintendo Entertainment System (NES) launched in the US
- ● Microsoft Windows 1.0 released
- ● C++ programming language published
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