Saturday, July 19, 1980

From the day

Perspective: The Future Historian · Sound

The rhythmic *waka-waka* of the Pac-Man cabinet at the corner deli competes with Billy Joel’s "It's Still Rock and Roll to Me" blaring from a passing Trans Am. Above the chatter about Reagan’s unity speech, the shrill screech of a fax machine boom echoes through the office windows, signaling a digital revolution nearly as fast as the brand-new flash memory being whispered about in tech circles. I push through the heavy humidity, adjusted my stiff shoulder pads, and let out a sharp "Here's Johnny!" as I burst into the arcade. The permed hair of the teenagers around me flickers under neon lights, their focus locked on the glowing screens as the future begins to hum in high-pitched, electronic tones.

No memories yet. Add yours if you remember this day.

The Headlines

Reagan Hails Republicans' Unity; Carter's Aides Defend Jobs Policy; G.O.P. Retains Brock as Chief Reagan Hails Republican Unity; Brock Is Re-elected as Chairman Reagan-Bush Appearance Plea by Mayor Young Democrats Attack Challenger Campaign Pace Quickening Carter Aides, Assailing Reagan, Insist President Has Frozen Some Hiring Rebuttal on Hiring Freeze Many Work 'Indirectly'

#1 on the Billboard Hot 100

It's Still Rock and Roll to Me

Billy Joel

#1 at the box office

$2,662,155

The must-have

Rubik's Cube

Slang

Tech Check

Fax Machine Boom, Pac-Man & Flash Memory.

Style of 1980

Silhouette: Oversized inverted triangle

Material: Lycra and sequins

• Shoulder pads
• Perms
• Neon accessories

Cost of Living (1980)