1. Sony Walkman TPS-L2
Before smartphones or iPods, the Sony Walkman was the symbol of portable cool in 1985. Everyone from joggers to teenagers on the school bus had one clipped to their belt. It was revolutionary because it let people carry their favorite cassette tapes anywhere—a first for the time. Today, original Walkman models, especially the blue-and-silver TPS-L2, can fetch hundreds of dollars on eBay.
The appeal wasn’t just nostalgia; these devices were built to last, with a satisfying click of physical buttons and sturdy metal casing. By the 1990s, though, CDs and the Discman took over, and the cassette era began to fade. Now, collectors and audiophiles hunt for the ones still in working condition. Finding one with its original headphones and box is like striking gold.
2. Swatch Watches
Swatch watches were the fashion statement of the mid-’80s. Bright, plastic, and unapologetically fun, they were meant to be affordable, collectible accessories. People would stack multiple Swatches on one wrist just to show off. In 1985, owning a Swatch was practically a cultural requirement.
But like many fads, their appeal waned as digital watches and minimalist designs became trendy. Swatch still exists today, but those quirky vintage designs with geometric prints or neon straps are long gone. eBay is now the go-to place for finding the exact one you wore to middle school. The nostalgia is so strong that collectors pay more for certain limited editions than they originally cost new.
3. Trapper Keeper
If you went to school in the ’80s, the Trapper Keeper was your ultimate status symbol. Mead’s colorful binders came with Velcro flaps, cartoon covers, and slots for everything—notes, pencils, and stickers. Every kid in 1985 wanted one, and teachers both loved and hated them. They were loud, both literally and visually.
As schools shifted to digital note-taking and simpler supplies, the Trapper Keeper disappeared from classroom aisles. There have been a few nostalgic re-releases, but nothing beats the original designs with rainbow grids or geometric planets. On eBay, vintage ones in good shape go for surprising prices. It’s a little slice of ’80s school life in binder form.
4. ColecoVision Game Console
Before Nintendo dominated, ColecoVision was the height of home gaming. Released in 1982, it was still popular in 1985 thanks to its advanced graphics and arcade-style games like Donkey Kong. It gave kids a way to play arcade hits at home—something groundbreaking at the time. Families would crowd around tube TVs for hours of 8-bit fun.
When the Nintendo Entertainment System hit the U.S. in late 1985, ColecoVision’s days were numbered. The company stopped production shortly after, and its once-cutting-edge cartridges became relics. Today, complete consoles with controllers and original boxes are collector favorites on eBay. It’s a reminder of just how fast gaming tech evolves.
5. Cabbage Patch Kids
In 1985, the Cabbage Patch Kids craze was absolutely wild. Parents lined up outside toy stores for hours trying to snag one. Each doll came with a unique “adoption certificate,” making kids feel like they were bringing home something special. They were soft, chubby-cheeked, and instantly iconic.
By the ’90s, the mania faded as new toy crazes like Beanie Babies took over. While newer versions still exist, the classic ’80s models with Xavier Roberts’ signature on their bottoms are what collectors really want. On eBay, some mint-condition dolls sell for hundreds. They’re a quirky reminder of the decade’s most intense toy obsession.
6. Betamax Tapes
In the great format war of the ’80s, Betamax lost—but in 1985, it still had loyal fans. Sony’s high-quality tapes offered better picture and sound than VHS. Early adopters swore by them, even as rental stores slowly stopped carrying the format. Owning a Betamax machine once meant you were ahead of the curve.
Unfortunately, the shorter recording time and higher cost doomed Betamax. By the end of the decade, VHS had completely taken over. Today, collectors scour eBay for old Betamax tapes of concerts, movies, and TV broadcasts. It’s part tech history, part nostalgia trip for home-video geeks.
7. Polaroid 600 Instant Camera
Before selfies, there was the Polaroid 600. In 1985, these chunky cameras were at every birthday party, wedding, and vacation spot. You’d press the button, and seconds later, a square photo would pop out, developing before your eyes. It was magic you could hold in your hand.
Digital cameras killed the instant photo market by the early 2000s. Although Polaroid has relaunched some models, the original 600s—especially ones in bright pastel colors—live on mostly through eBay resellers. The charm is undeniable, even if the film costs a small fortune now. There’s just something special about shaking a picture and waiting for it to appear.
8. Garbage Pail Kids Cards
Topps introduced Garbage Pail Kids in 1985 as a parody of Cabbage Patch Kids, and kids went crazy for them. They were gross, funny, and rebellious—everything kids loved that parents didn’t. Trading and collecting them was practically a playground sport. Each sticker card featured a twisted name and cartoonish art.
Schools banned them, parents complained, and that only made them more popular. Eventually, the fad faded as new trends came along, but the originals are now collector gold. eBay listings for complete first-series sets can go for hundreds. It’s hard to overstate how much these little cards captured ’80s counterculture humor.
9. Panasonic Boombox RX-5030
In 1985, having a big, shiny boombox meant you were serious about your music. Panasonic’s RX-5030 was one of the best, known for its twin cassette decks and huge speakers. You could record your favorite radio songs right onto tape, which was peak DIY music culture. It was as much a fashion statement as a stereo.
But as CDs and smaller devices took over, the era of the shoulder-carried boombox ended. These days, you’ll mostly see them in hip-hop documentaries or music videos paying homage to the time. Vintage Panasonic models now command high prices on eBay, especially if they still work. It’s hard to resist the nostalgia of those giant chrome buttons.
10. Atari 2600 Cartridges
By 1985, the Atari 2600 was a little outdated—but still everywhere. Millions of American homes had one, and classics like Space Invaders and Pitfall! were still in rotation. It’s the console that introduced an entire generation to video gaming. The chunky cartridges were instantly recognizable.
The video game crash of 1983 had already hurt Atari, and by the mid-’80s, Nintendo had taken the crown. Still, those cartridges are beloved by retro gamers and collectors today. Some rare ones, like Air Raid, can fetch thousands on eBay. It’s a tangible link to the dawn of home gaming.
11. View-Master Reels
In 1985, a View-Master was pure magic for kids. You’d slot in a circular reel, hold it up to your eyes, and suddenly you were looking at 3D scenes of Disney rides or national parks. It was like virtual reality before virtual reality existed. Every kid had a stack of those little picture disks.
The technology feels quaint now, replaced by phones and VR headsets. But for many, the click-click of the View-Master’s lever still triggers instant nostalgia. Vintage reels and viewers from the ’80s are easy to find on eBay. The best ones feature pop culture tie-ins like Star Wars or E.T.
12. Tang Orange Drink Mix
In 1985, Tang was a kitchen staple. Marketed as the drink astronauts used in space, it had a futuristic appeal for kids and parents alike. You just scooped some orange powder into water, and voilà—instant juice. It was sugary, tangy, and very of its time.
While Tang technically still exists, it’s nowhere near the American phenomenon it once was. The powdered drink aisle has shrunk, and most people haven’t seen Tang in years. Vintage tins and promotional items pop up on eBay, often covered in that unmistakable orange branding. It’s a sweet, citrus-scented flashback to ’80s breakfasts.
13. Levi’s 501 Shrink-to-Fit Jeans
In 1985, Levi’s 501 jeans were the denim standard. Everyone from Bruce Springsteen to your next-door neighbor wore them. The “shrink-to-fit” ritual—buying them big, then washing to customize the fit—was a rite of passage. They were tough, American-made, and effortlessly cool.
While Levi’s still makes 501s, the vintage U.S.-made versions with red tabs and selvedge denim are long gone. Modern ones just don’t feel the same to purists. On eBay, ’80s pairs in good condition can sell for hundreds. They’re a perfect symbol of durable style from a pre-fast-fashion era.
14. Jolt Cola
When Jolt Cola hit shelves in 1985, it proudly advertised “All the sugar and twice the caffeine.” It was the original energy drink before Red Bull existed. College students, programmers, and night-shift workers loved it for the buzz. It was also banned from some schools for being “too intense.”
Eventually, the brand faded as bigger soda companies dominated and health concerns grew. While Jolt has been revived a few times, the original glass-bottle version is a true collector’s item now. Cans and bottles from the ’80s, sometimes still sealed, surface on eBay. It’s the ultimate artifact of America’s caffeinated youth culture.
This post 14 U.S. Products That Were Everywhere in 1985 and Now Only Exist on eBay was first published on American Charm.
