In 1983, Coleco launched the Adam--a bold attempt to turn its hit ColecoVision video game console into a full-fledged home computer.

By this point in the 80s, Coleco had made a huge dent in the video game market, and, at the same time, was behind one of the biggest toy crazes in history.

With all their success--and deep pockets--was Coleco ready to take on the big PC players like Apple, IBM, and Commodore? What Coleco released ended up becoming one of the most infamous product failures of the entire 1980s.

It's the story that includes leather shoes, Pong, and Full House, and it's a look at how cruel the world of 1980s technology could really be.

• Karate Kid movie review: Patreon.com/80s

If you grew up watching Wheel of Fortune, you probably read the title of this episode the same way the audience would call it out during the show's opening.

That's the cultural impact Wheel of Fortune had; it's the game show that goes back to the mid-70s but really rose to prominence in the 1980s.

Not only did the format change in the 80s, but the show made the big move from daytime to the evening. The 1980s are also when the world first met Pat Sajak and Vanna White.

So grab some consonants and a vowel as we dive into the history of one of the most popular game shows in history: Wheel of Fortune.

• Get access to new shows early, and ad-free: Patreon.com/80s

The Care Bears weren't just colorful, stuffed animals--they were one of the biggest cultural and business success stories of the 1980s.

From a simple sketch to the eureka moment of their final creation, the story of the Care Bears is a testament to how to launch a child's brand with surgical precision.

When they finally hit shelves in 1983, it didn't take long for the Care Bears to become a pop culture phenomenon. With their very specific and strategic rollout, the Care Bears were hard to ignore.

Today, we look back at the history of a defining 1980s brand, the brand that may have been the gold standard in how to promote a kids' toy. Not only did the Care Bears become a billion-dollar brand, but they also beat Disney at their own game, and may have also led to the death of a beloved cartoon character...

• Karate Kid movie review: Patreon.com/80s