Matches in the Soviet Union were an important part of everyday life. Many apartments were not connected to the central gas, power or electricity systems, so people needed matches to light a stove to make food or to boil water to take a bath.
Thus, matchbox labels served as a daily reminder of the socially accepted rules of behavior or life wisdom advice, most commonly in the form of a friend recommendation from the Soviet state. So let’s have a look at this primitive yet very quaint form of social advertising.
Honey is good for doing sports. 1959.
Do not hang onto a handrail outside of a leaving train. 1959. (In case too many people would try to get on the train).
Do not slide the doors open on a moving train. 1959.
The image below is about Kerogas: a type of a portable primus kerosene stove. It was commonly used instead of electric stoves as the energy was too expensive, and the majority of the apartments were not connected to central gas lines. Highly flammable and not that safe as advertised
It will help you more than once, this simple and safe appliance – kerogas. 1959.
Do not let the children cross railway tracks. 1959.
Do not bring highly flammable substances onboard the train. 1959.
A vacuum cleaner is a great buy: to dust and dirt you will say good bye! 1959.
Do not jump off a moving train. 1959.
I praise every home where milk is on the house! 1959.
Vodka. Villainess with a label. 1959.
Riding on the roof of a train is dangerous. 1959.
Forget the way you washed before — now the washer is there for!
Be careful with a lantern! (kerosene lamp) Be careful with a kerogas! (kerosene stove) In case of fire, call 0 – 1. Know how to use a fire extinguisher! 1959.
One bottle of milk neutralises the harm done by three cigarettes. 1959.
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