1980

Benton County Historical Museum opens in the old Philomath College building.

1980s

Hewlett-Packard invents inkjet printer.

1980

Corvallis population: 40,960; Benton County: 68,211.

1981

Led by quarterback Ed Singler, OSU rallies from a 28-point deficit late in the third quarter against Fresno State to win 31-28 in the biggest comeback in NCAA Div. 1 football history up to that time. It will be OSU's only win of the season.

1981

Oregon State University scientist Warren Kronstad and his research team introduce Stephens Wheat, the major variety now grown in the Pacific Northwest.

1981

Oregon State University's LaSells Stewart Center, the largest private-gift project ever financed at an Oregon public college or university, is completed.

1982

Oregon State University alumnus and Heisman Trophy winner Terry Baker is inducted into the College Football Hall of Fame.

1984

Oregon State University alumnus Milton Harris establishes the university's first endowed chair, in polymer chemistry.

1984

Oregon State University President Robert MacVicar retires, then serves as president emeritus until 1998.

John Vincent Byrne is selected as OSU's 12th president. He had previously served for three years as the chief administrator of the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA).

1985

Given absolutely no chance to win by West Coast sportswriters, OSU shocks the University of Washington 21-20 in a game in which the Beavers were 36-point underdogs. At this time, this was the biggest upset in college football history.

1988

Corvallis da Vinci Days is founded. Visit their web site >>>