Promise and Change, 1981-2000 (Life & Times in 20th Century America, Volume 5)

President Ronald Reagan was elected in 1980 and established a new era of political and social conservatism. The preppie style of clothing became popular, particularly among young men and women joining the working world for the first time. A new emphasis on fitness encouraged many Americans to get in shape, but obesity rates continued to rise. The AIDS epidemic brought fear to ordinary activities such as sharing public spaces and undergoing medical procedures, until researchers gained knowledge and developed new treatments. By the 1990s, one of the most profound inventions to ever impact daily life became widespread among families and professionals alike: the personal computer.