We'll tell you how Soviet people lived in the USSR, using the example of the "Everyday Life House" exhibition at the Moscow Museum

Contents:

• Kitchen
• Living Room
• Cleanliness and Beauty
• Work and Play
• Home Without Routine

At the end of May, the Museum of Moscow opened an exhibition titled "Everyday Life." Although the museum positions itself as an urban museum, many of its exhibits are not local history. They focus on the lifestyle of city residents, their daily habits, and the environment in both public spaces and homes. The exhibition "Household Services" offers a unique opportunity to get acquainted with aspects of the lives of Muscovites, reflecting their daily life and cultural traditions.

The exhibition "Household Services" is dedicated to aspects of home life. It illustrates how people in the Soviet Union spent time in their homes, what items they used, and how they organized their daily life and leisure. The exhibition presents the latest technological advances from various decades, allowing us to trace the evolution of devices' appearance and functionality. The exhibition offers a unique opportunity to explore changes in household culture and technology, reflecting the dynamics of the development of home comfort and convenience.

The exhibition is organized into five thematic zones: "Kitchen," "Living Room," "Cleanliness and Beauty," "Work and Play," and "A Home Without Everyday Life." Each zone is highlighted in its own color, which helps create a zoned space and enhances the perception of the theme. This approach promotes a better understanding of the various aspects of home comfort and functionality that are emphasized.

Kitchen

The first room that greets visitors is the kitchen, decorated in bright yellow tones. For Soviet people, the kitchen was a key place for communication and interaction. Guests were entertained here, the whole family made pelmeni, baked pies for holidays, and discussed important matters. That's why the kitchen, as the first space in the exhibition, creates an atmosphere for leisurely conversations about the past and allows one to immerse themselves in memories of shared moments.

The hall features a collection of objects used by housewives in the second half of the 20th century. Here you can see simple kitchen utensils, such as spatulas and slotted spoons, as well as high-tech devices of the time. Particularly noteworthy are the Elektronika microwave oven and the Straume dishwasher from Riga. These units were available only to a limited number of people in the USSR, which makes them especially interesting for studying the everyday life of that time.

Interesting exhibits include a ZIL refrigerator and a German kitchen icebox from the late 19th century, installed nearby. Many are familiar with pot-bellied refrigerators, often seen in old photographs and even in our grandmothers' apartments. However, the age-old technology of ice-based cooling may be a real novelty for millennials. These exhibits not only demonstrate the evolution of household appliances but also provide a better understanding of how ideas about comfort and food storage have changed over the centuries.

The cards placed around the perimeter present the history of the first refrigerators and microwave ovens. From the need to supply Egyptian kings with ice to 17th-century experiments and modern technology, you will learn about the significant discoveries that laid the foundation for the development of modern microwave ovens, as well as how, at the beginning of the 20th century, a home refrigerator cost twice as much as a car. This information will allow you to gain a deeper understanding of the evolution of household appliances and their impact on our everyday lives.

Living Room

The living room, combined with the digital technology area, is decorated in dark blue tones, creating an atmosphere of privacy and mystery. This interior allows visitors to fully concentrate on modern technology and immerse themselves in its world, enjoying a unique combination of style and functionality.

The living room is a personal space where a city dweller finds respite from the hustle and bustle of the city. Here you can see vintage gramophones, radiograms, and large tube televisions, which look harmoniously against the background of a soft carpet. Impressive speakers, covered in fine fabric, connect to turntables, allowing you to listen to hits by Alla Pugacheva and Joe Dassin, as well as children's songs by the Nikitins about a hedgehog with a hole in its side. Today, such interior elements are found only in the apartments of music lovers. The living room in the exhibition demonstrates how a city dweller can disconnect from the daily grind: enjoying popular music or being distracted by a TV show on the "blue screen." This space, filled with nostalgia, allows you to immerse yourself in a cozy atmosphere and forget about the outside world.

In this place, the exquisite antique radiograms with wooden cases covered with thin fabric on the front panel are especially eye-catching. It was through this fabric that the sound of unoccupied radio frequencies and the crackling of worn vinyl records once came. Unlike old televisions, these devices evoke powerful emotions and evoke memories of that "warm tube sound" that captivates and immerses you in the atmosphere of a bygone era. To the left of the televisions, against the wall, is a large wooden box that initially attracts little attention. However, ask the exhibition's mediator to open its doors, and a 1958 Almaz tape-radio cassette player—a true marvel of Soviet technology—will appear before you. Behind its doors are three unique devices: a vinyl record player, a powerful radio receiver operating on multiple frequencies, and a reel-to-reel tape recorder. Such devices were affordable to only a select few, so they are rarely found in collections of "our grandmothers' gadgets." The Almaz radio tape recorder not only reflects the technological level of its time, but is also a symbol of the cultural era in which it was created.

To create an atmosphere of intimate comfort, it is recommended to go to the adjoining room, which is hidden behind the curtain. Here you can comfortably settle into a Soviet-era armchair or a red sofa, which, although hard, adds a special charm. In this cozy space, you can watch the film "Archaeology of Everyday Life," produced by the Art-Kommunalka Museum in collaboration with the Polytechnic Museum. This unique film immerses viewers in the world of everyday life and culture, providing an opportunity to enjoy the atmosphere of the past.

On screen, the film's participants share stories about various objects presented in the apartment museum. They describe the significant event that the introduction of the sewing machine into the home was, and explain the functions of the "crook"—an ebonite cup whose meaning, like its name, may seem unclear to modern viewers. This object allowed an iron to be connected to a ceiling chandelier, thereby avoiding the additional expense of installing an outlet in the room.

With the development of technology, access to information has become possible not only through television broadcasts. The advent of the internet in homes opened up new horizons for users, providing instant access to information and communication. This era became the basis for a new understanding of interaction with the world, and the continuation of the blue room is dedicated to it.

Computers are displayed in this room, and the modem emits a familiar sound remembered only by those who lived through the dawn of the internet era. By closing your eyes, you can travel back in time or imagine what representatives of the older generation were searching for online. What were their needs, what questions did they ask, and what information did they seek to find in this new, unknown world? Memories of those times open doors to the history of technological development and human communication.

The collection includes Soviet desktop computers, as well as the Elektronika MS 1504 microcomputer and the Compaq LTE portable computer, which weighs 5 kg. These devices are the precursors of modern laptops and reflect the development of computing technology in past decades. The importance of such exhibits lies not only in their historical value, but also in the fact that they demonstrate the evolution of technology that led to the creation of modern mobile devices.

This hall contains an unusual exhibit - a suitcase with a personal gaming A computer called "Nafanya." The device doesn't have a monitor, as it's designed to be connected to a TV, and it comes with a keyboard and a green joystick. Few people remember that in the 1990s, in addition to the familiar floppy disks, audio cassettes were also used, although they weren't used to store music tracks. The contents of this "floppy disk" are listed on its box and include popular games like Pac-Man and Arkanoid. This exhibit not only evokes nostalgia, but also illustrates the transitional stages in the development of gaming technologies.

Opposite the exhibits is the history of the development of computer technology, designed in the form of the blue interface of Norton Commander - the operating system that preceded Windows. This interface illustrates key stages in the evolution of computer technology and highlights the importance of Norton Commander in shaping modern operating systems. Visitors have the opportunity to delve into the past, learn about the impact of these technologies today, and appreciate their contribution to the development of the digital age.

Cleanliness and Beauty

The room with light blue walls does not have a traditional name associated with exhibition design and is dedicated to the theme of cleaning and personal hygiene. At the entrance, visitors are greeted by a collection of vacuum cleaners and electric floor polishers, representing the cutting-edge technology of their time. In a modern context, against the backdrop of brands such as Dyson and iRobot, these devices appear large and less convenient, which emphasizes their distance from modern advances in technology.

The red, spherical "Saturn" vacuum cleaner, released in 1967, retains its pioneering spirit. Created on a wave of cosmic sentiment, it evokes images of a planet or an artificial satellite. A second copy of this unique vacuum cleaner is on display in the exhibition hall, where anyone can press a button and immerse themselves in the atmosphere of Soviet times. Interestingly, the Saturn cost 40 rubles, which was equal to half the monthly salary of a Soviet citizen. This vacuum cleaner symbolizes not only progress in household appliances, but also the cultural changes of that era.

This hall is one of the most interactive in the exhibition. In the neighboring display case, where vacuum cleaners are displayed, there are bottles of perfume. A good smell is an important component of self-care. Here, you can not only appreciate the elegance of the bottles but also enjoy a unique, historical fragrance. A visiting perfume company created a perfume called "Novy Byt" specifically for this exhibition, using the original recipe from the 1917 "Collection of Technical and Chemical Recipes." You can experience the "Novy Byt" fragrance through a large aroma diffuser, the reeds of which are impregnated with a special compound. This experience immerses visitors in the atmosphere of the past, combining history and modernity in one fragrance.

On the opposite wall is a stand dedicated to washing and ironing, which displays household items from the mid-20th century. Featured here are washboards and irons that have remained virtually unchanged over the years and remain familiar to many. Washing machines, while still recognizable, have undergone significant design changes—over time, they've become more angular, but still feature the familiar round drum inside. The mechanisms of these machines are completely hidden, which allows you to evaluate them only by their appearance - modern models look like large white cylinders, creating additional worries for housewives about “finishing” work.

Show all the achievements of technologies that help maintain It's impossible to imagine the evolution of cleaning in everyday life. However, this detailed infographic illustrates the key milestones and innovations that have made cleaning more efficient and convenient. The broom, familiar to us from childhood, is actually an invention. Farmer Levi Dickinson created it in 1797, and since then, this simple yet effective cleaning tool has become indispensable in households. In 1860, the "carpet sweeper" appeared, becoming the forerunner of the modern vacuum cleaner. This mechanical device operated without electricity and was an important step in the development of cleaning technology. The first automatic vacuum cleaner, equipped with an internal combustion engine, was the size of a cart, and instead of sucking dust from carpets, it blew it out. These historical facts highlight the evolution of cleaning products and their importance in everyday life.

Work and Play

This room features a vibrant decor, with deep orange walls and shiny display cases filled with a variety of objects and toys. They illustrate the concept of "Work and Play," creating an atmosphere conducive to creative development and learning.

In this context, there is not much "work." The main activity is sewing, represented by sewing machines from the first half of the 20th century. In particular, it's worth highlighting the 1959 Volga electric sewing machine, with its massive form that reflects the era. Also worth mentioning are the Singer sewing machines from the early 20th century, familiar to many. Similar models can still be found in homes, especially among grandmothers who enjoyed sewing. In that era, a hand-sewn dress was considered the most coveted outfit, emphasizing the individuality and creativity of each woman. The hall features numerous exhibits that reflect not only childhood hobbies but also adult hobbies. Particularly noteworthy are the display cases dedicated to photography. Here you can see a tripod, a leather film case, vintage cameras, and a large Smena enlarger with a red light. Photography as a hobby became popular in the USSR, offering men the opportunity to capture life's moments on black-and-white film and print their own photographs. This passion has opened doors to a world of creativity and self-expression, allowing people to not only develop their skills but also create memories.

A variety of children's toys are displayed in the back window of the store, instantly attracting attention. Here you'll find a wide variety of interesting products: battery-operated toy animals and mechanical models with keys, colorful cars, baby dolls, bunnies, and teddy bears. Many of these toys are familiar to customers, and some may evoke nostalgia in adults who played with them as children. This selection allows parents to choose the perfect gift for their children, taking into account their interests and preferences.

A small cast-iron kitchen attracts attention with its exquisite design. On the black, massive stove are miniature cauldrons and saucepans, as well as a ladle. Such toys, created in the early 20th century, were often used as working models. Similarly, a small children's sewing machine, produced in Yugoslavia in the 1980s, allowed girls not only to play at being a seamstress but also to perform real sewing tasks, such as hemming dolls' dresses or sewing duvet covers. Like the kitchen set, this machine is an exact replica of an adult object, but made on a smaller scale. Such toys not only develop creativity but also introduce children to the adult world, bringing elements of real life into their play.

A House Without Everyday Life

The fifth hall of the exhibition, called "A House Without Everyday Life," is distinguished by the absence of traditional exhibits. There are virtually no appliances here, emphasizing the concept of liberation from kitchen slavery. This room invites visitors to consider how we can change our perception of home space and simplify everyday life. In "A House Without Everyday Life," the emphasis is on minimalism and functionality, allowing you to focus on more important aspects of life.

Instead of traditional exhibits, this content features science fiction writers' thoughts on the future, as well as a timeline, demonstrating the evolution of technology over time. For example, in 1909, Edward Foster describes a concept for a room with only one button. When pressed, a bathroom could appear from under the floor. His short story "The Machine Stops" also mentions buttons that could provide clothing or play music. There is also a separate button for communicating with friends. These ideas anticipated many modern technologies and continue to inspire new innovations in automation and interaction. Aldous Huxley described his dream of "living pictures" that would allow us not only to see but also to hear, smell, and touch. Modern technology has not yet reached the level of reproducing smells, and this innovation still remains in the realm of science fiction. However, the predictions of Dean Koontz, who in his novel "Demon Seed" imagined the idea of ​​controlling kitchen appliances using touch panels from any room, have become a reality. As technology continues to advance, what once seemed like science fiction is gradually becoming a part of our everyday lives. Future visions come to life through illustrations and project images that showcase visions of the future created by artists and engineers. These visuals not only inspire but also provide insight into possible technological advances, the evolution of the urban environment, and the impact of innovation on everyday life. Over time, viewers are gradually becoming familiar with the concept of the smart home. In 1961, the IBM Shoebox could recognize only 16 words, but by 2011, the iPhone voice assistant was released, marking a significant leap forward. In 2014, Amazon introduced its first smart speaker, opening new horizons for smart home technology. The evolution of these devices demonstrates the rapid development of technology and its integration into everyday life, making home management more convenient and efficient.

The stand presents further developments in technology, including a plasma panel and a voice control system. With spoken commands, you can turn on a fan and change the color of a lightbox. In 2022, such functions are no longer surprising. "While Robin listens to a report on events in the house, the lights automatically adjust, music plays, and the curtains rise. All elements of the smart home are interconnected and respond to commands given by Robin and her family," was how Microsoft introduced the smart home concept in 1998. What seemed like science fiction back then has become an integral part of our everyday lives. Smart technologies make the home more comfortable and functional, providing a high degree of automation and control.

The exhibition offers visitors a unique journey through a century of technological achievements. It covers a wide range of topics, from ancient Babylonian inventions to the creation of the Pneumatic Machine Partnership, which became the first vacuum cleaner manufacturer in Russia. The exhibition represents only a small part of this rich technological heritage, demonstrating how the past has shaped the present and the future. Visitors can see how prototypes and their modern counterparts differ from each other and trace the evolution of inventions through hundreds of exhibits. This exhibition is not only informative, but also inspires reflection on the future of technology.

The exhibition will run until July 31 at the Museum of Moscow, located at 2 Zubovsky Boulevard. Don't miss the opportunity to visit this cultural event and see the exhibits on display.

Read also:

• 11 summer exhibitions in Moscow, St. Petersburg, and Yekaterinburg
• A report from the exhibition "History of Soviet Design," which runs in Moscow until November 27
• The history of VNIITE: a prototype of a "smart home" and the first ecodesign
• Sickle and font: USSR fonts