20 Pics That Perfectly Represent ‘The Decade of Greed’ a.k.a. The 80s

Daniel Bonfiglio Published 01/17/2025 in wow

Aggressive policies of deregulation and economic expansion meant that the 1980s were a fantastic period for ambitious capitalists, and the beginning of a decline for everyone else.

Everything was bigger in the '80s, and if you don't believe me, you should check out these 20 representative pics.

They don't call it the "Decade of Greed" for nothing.

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1. SR-71 Pilots
In Pressurized Uniforms, 1980's.
2. Bushwick
Brooklyn in the 1980s.
3. IRA Patrol in Belfast
Northern Ireland during The Troubles, 1980s.
4. Susan Kare
An artist who designed numerous fonts, icons and images for Apple, Microsoft and IBM in the 1980s.
5. Afghan and Soviet Soldiers
1980s Afghanistan.
6. Yugoslavia's "Jugolinija"
Shipping Line And the Twin Towers, 1980s.
7. Gold Rush
The mines of 1980s Brazil.
8. Serra Pelada Mines
Continued.
9. Dubai Airport
Early 1980s.
10. Refusing Gas
When the Soviet Union invaded Afghanistan, gas stations in Toronto refused to gas Ladas (a Russian car), 1980s.
11. A Man Poses for a Photo
In-front of the Soyuz rocket, 1980s, Baikonur, Kazakh SSR.
12. American Inventor and Bodybuilder Arthur Jones
With his pet crocodiles, 1980s.
13. Soviet Air Force Mil Mi-17 Transport Helicopter
Flying past one of the 6th century Bamiyan Buddha statues, in the Bamyan Province, Afghanistan.
14. The Swedish Military
Refueling a SAAB 105 jet in the 1980s.
15. Construction of the Glass Pyramid
In the courtyard of the Louvre, 1980s.
16. Iranian Soldier
During the Iran Iraq War, 1980s.
17. Golden Gate Bridge
During rush hour, June 3, 1980. Photograph by Gary Fong.
18. Iron Worker
Standing tall, 1980s.
19. Soviet Flying Boat
"Lun-class ekranoplan" testing one of the six top mounted rocket silos, late 1980s.
20. Environmental and Anti-War Demonstration
Czechoslovakia, 1980s.

1. SR-71 Pilots
In Pressurized Uniforms, 1980's.
2. Bushwick
Brooklyn in the 1980s.
3. IRA Patrol in Belfast
Northern Ireland during The Troubles, 1980s.
4. Susan Kare
An artist who designed numerous fonts, icons and images for Apple, Microsoft and IBM in the 1980s.
5. Afghan and Soviet Soldiers
1980s Afghanistan.
6. Yugoslavia's "Jugolinija"
Shipping Line And the Twin Towers, 1980s.
7. Gold Rush
The mines of 1980s Brazil.
8. Serra Pelada Mines
Continued.
9. Dubai Airport
Early 1980s.
10. Refusing Gas
When the Soviet Union invaded Afghanistan, gas stations in Toronto refused to gas Ladas (a Russian car), 1980s.
11. A Man Poses for a Photo
In-front of the Soyuz rocket, 1980s, Baikonur, Kazakh SSR.
12. American Inventor and Bodybuilder Arthur Jones
With his pet crocodiles, 1980s.
13. Soviet Air Force Mil Mi-17 Transport Helicopter
Flying past one of the 6th century Bamiyan Buddha statues, in the Bamyan Province, Afghanistan.
14. The Swedish Military
Refueling a SAAB 105 jet in the 1980s.
15. Construction of the Glass Pyramid
In the courtyard of the Louvre, 1980s.
16. Iranian Soldier
During the Iran Iraq War, 1980s.
17. Golden Gate Bridge
During rush hour, June 3, 1980. Photograph by Gary Fong.
18. Iron Worker
Standing tall, 1980s.
19. Soviet Flying Boat
"Lun-class ekranoplan" testing one of the six top mounted rocket silos, late 1980s.
20. Environmental and Anti-War Demonstration
Czechoslovakia, 1980s.