Real USSR » toys

How Much Watch? Ten Watch!

Eva Muryzhnikova — Thu, 24 Jun 2010 14:07:08 +0000

Free postcards as a marketing ploy.

In 1959, a Soviet watchmaker MashPriborInTorg had what’s now called a solid market share of all watches and clocks made in the USSR. This ugly acronym stood for Machinery and Gadget Overseas Trade, and the factory made all the famous Soviet brands of watches which could be found in every household: Polet (Flight), Slava (Honour), Raketa (Rocket), Chaika (Seagull) and more pompous names, which in reality were good sturdy reliable watches: my Granddad had his Slava for more than 20 years, and never there was a complaint! For some reason, these goofy dolls were picked to advertise the watches, and today we have found a collection of postcards picturing a good set of such dolls wearing the Soviet tributes to fine watchmaking. Enjoy!

The set of cards

Every household I can think of now had a clock like that.

Unexpectedly, a black Pinoccio.

A sailor.

Forget me not in this lifetime.

Late for a date, no less.

Oleg Popov, The Sad Clown

Eva Muryzhnikova — Tue, 15 Jun 2010 10:16:03 +0000

In about six weeks this remarkable man will celebrate his 80th Birthday. Who is he? The most popular clown of the Soviet Union, also known as the Sunshine Clown, Oleg Popov is true icon of its own. Born in 1930, he had on of the toughest upbringings ever — yet he managed to become one of most recognisable people of the 20th century: he also was in Guinness Records Book for “being popular in the West and in the East”.

On top of his game. Oleg Popov in 1976.

He was training to be a plumber when, at the age of 17, his friends took him along to the local circus — overwhelmed, he later said there was no way back. He started learning acrobatics, gymnastics, tricks; he spent all of his time and money on learning about the famous clowns and their techniques. It did not take him long to become famous: his natural talent and an open smile made wonders.

In his interview for the Russian newspaper Arguments and Facts, Oleg Popov is reminiscing about the happiest day of his life:after Stalin’s death in 1953, all entertainment was banned as a deep mourning was announced. So the circus he was working at was shut, and those weeks of not doing what he loved was torturous. It took over two months for the ban to be lifted, and even then he was briefed not to joke “too much”. So coming out on stage and receiving a huge round of applaud made Oleg realised that it wasn’t only him who missed performing — it was also the spectators who needed laughter.

Technological Advance of the Classic Rocking Horse

Lena Traer — Tue, 27 Oct 2009 10:35:38 +0000

The Wooden Horse on Wheels

This mythical creature of the Soviet kids’ childhood, something between a Centaur and a bicycle, has come into being within a Soviet manufacturing industry driven by an overpowering desire to “give all the best” to children. Most brilliant minds of the Soviet scientists were working on the creation of the ideal cross-breed. The mutant was officially labeled a “Pedal Horse” and its large-volume production was finally kick-started by the end of 1950s. It became very popular quite fast as it was really exciting to own a “real” horse that could move around in the street, a horse more real than a wooden rocking horse.

The Pedal Horse

However, it took some time for the children to get used to the idea of pushing the sticking out pedals instead of just pushing off the ground, and it took a lot of strength as it was quite hard to turn pedals that were stiff and clumsy. Rare muscular kid could manage the distance of a few meters without getting exhausted or falling down as the whole structure was also uneven. Still, it was so much fun!

The Pedal Car

But what could be even better than having your own horse? Of course, having your own car! The USSR was producing a large variety of pedal cars for children, in each specific time trying to reproduce the actual model of a popular car. Here are some of them.

Blue pedal car – Resembling ‘Zaporozhec’

Red pedal car – Resembling ‘Moskvitch’

An Old Curiosity Shop: The Museum of Soviet Life

Maria Yukhimenko — Mon, 24 Aug 2009 12:58:44 +0000

Earlier this year, a unique in its peculiarity museum was opened in Novosibirsk, the Siberian capital of Russia. Privately owned, this museum offers an insight into the days long gone, yet longing to be remembered: a collection of the Soviet everyday artifacts; simple things that still matter.

Please welcome our new author Maria Yukhimenko, who has visited this place and and prepared this report exclusively for the realussr readers.

The USSR Museum: the facade.

The museum occupies a 1917 villa and is opened by appointment only. The story goes that a long time ago this building was used as an NKVD headquarters (the KGB predecessor, that is). Well, it certainly feels like it – the atmosphere is gloomy enough: dark rooms, high stud ceilings, squeaky wooden floors.

However, it turns out to have quite a bit of character…

As always, please click on magnifying glass to see in detail.

An Old curiosuty shop indeed!

A TV with an classic clock on it.

The Soviet art deco: a cast iron clock Young couple flirting.

Inside it feels like a treasure chest, with all the impossible relics brought together: from old cameras and typewriters through to crockery, clothes and propaganda posters. Most of the appliances are still in working order, Anna the proud curator tells me.

Assorted Soviet china

A boy scout with a German sheppard, close up.

The stuff on display does not seem to be categorized in any particular way, nor is it chronological: it is just there, in almost random piles, to be touched and looked at by visitors. Almost each artifact has got a tiny sticker with a price on; unfortunately, apart from the door charges (USD$2), this is the only way for the museum to stay afloat.

Rubber toys, mostly fairy tale characters.

The director of the USSR museum is Idea Lozhkina. Back in the days, propagandistic names were trendy (Firstofmay or Revolutia, and so Idea is one of them). And she was, indeed, struck by an idea of opening a Soviet version of a curiosity shop. “My house was full of old memorabilia, and people liked it, so I though, why not? – says Idea. - It is very important to create something useful in this life. Something, which will help to remember those days, otherwise the risk that the stuff will be dumped is very high”.

The interview with the director Idea Lozhkina.

The Museum tries to stay neutral in its political position. Idea says they are not trying to promote communism or communistic propaganda; they are only trying to keep the memories alive. The younger ones, who come to the museum, do not always know who Lenin was. Nevertheless, the museum has been opened for two months only, and it has been very popular with the public.

Busts of Mao, bronze; Lenin, cast iron. Note which one is taller, this is Made in the USSR for you.

There is a study-like room, which is just asking to be labelled as “Lenin’s study”. His portraits on the walls, communistic flags, a typewriter on the desk, an opened book on Marxism and communism principles… Just next to it there are documents of that era: passports, membership dockets, letters. A guy in the huge portrait on the wall seems almost unrecognizable: young Brezhnev, it turns out. A rare shot.

Young Brezhnev.

Another Soviet toy, a stuffed teddy.

The “Smena” camera (“Change”, no less!) in its glory days made it to the Guinness Record Book as the most popular camera of its days: the sales were skyrocketing!

USSR money: the rouble is yellow, three is green.

At 6 pm after the war, a film of 1944. The IMDB rating is 7.2/10

In the future they intend to open a small cinema to show films of the Soviet era and to allow the older people to socialize and feel a little nostalgic over it. The Museum team also plan to celebrate major Soviet holidays, organize get-together parties, sing old songs and listen to the old music. “After all, — says Idea, — this place strives to bring people together. Russia is a great and powerful country which I believe in, but Russia was born out of the USSR, and it would not have been possible for Russia to be born without the USSR. And we are here to praise its legacy, even on such a small scale as every day items”.

Funtime with Soviet Playthings

Dmitry Yakimenko — Mon, 29 Jun 2009 13:33:51 +0000

Red Army models

Just like children anywhere in the world, the Soviet kids needed toys to play with. Certainly the range of toys designed and produced was an enviable one, by some standards. However, the aesthetic appearance of toys was not a priority for Soviet designers — toys had to be functional and educational. Anything beyond that, like pleasant looks, was not considered to be important and, moreover, it was seen as an unnecessary indulgence. The lack of competition from the imports due to the planned economy and severe shortages of quality products in the shops actually resulted in the very poor delivery and limited variety of toys. The Soviet parents were able to get only these kinds of toys as imported toys were literally impossible to buy.

Various kinds of car models were very popular with boys…

Bulldozer

Police car

Clockwork car

Truck

Without a question, miniature models of real cars were of the best quality and were of great success with the Soviet children. Nevertheless these models were not actual toys for children: rather, they were rare collectibles for adults.

Miniature models of Soviet cars

Ambulance

Lada Wagon

Volga car

The miniatures of military equipment were another range of car models. Unlike the above lot, these ones were usually made solely from steel and therefore were very durable and more appropriate for children games.

Something military

Tank

Military truck

Armoured car

No doubt that children’s toys always reflect the current trends of the time. One of the most popular topics ever was the space exploration — so the Soviet toys designers created astronauts and moon robots.

Soviet astronaut

Moon robot

Another moon robot

And one more…

Dolls are popular with girls, in any given time in history.

Doll

Girls’ set of dolls, bathing and cooking utensils.

Arguably, the Soviet designers also cared about small children: something strange like modern days pokemons.

Cheburashka — the hero of a popular Soviet cartoon

Figurines of soldiers

Tilting doll– every girl had one.

Clocwork birds

The Soviet ideology had a huge influence over the toys’ designs.

Young Pioneers

The Red Army Collection

At the end of 1980s, the Soviet electronic industry introduced a range of pocket playstations, where the player would pick up some falling stuff (pictured: the wolf catching eggs in a basket).

Play Station

This review will not be complete without some pictures of overseas toys of the same epoch.

Barbie

Race car

Race course model

Various toys for small children