The myth of the longevity of East German products
Whether RG28 or Schwalbe - GDR products were considered robust and some of them are still in use today. At the same time, a sense of tinkering was often required to keep them running. The lack of spare parts made this even more difficult.
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Vom Mythos der Langlebigkeit der Ost-Produkte
In a society where gaps in supply were part of everyday life, creativity and improvisation were key skills.
In her lecture, technology historian Kathrin Tschida sheds light on the practice of repairing in the GDR. From the Komplexannahmestelle back then to the Repair Café today: can parallels be drawn? We discuss sustainability and ask whether the GDR invented DIY.
- Lecture: Kathrin Tschida, technology historian, Berlin
- Moderation: Dr. Liza Soutschek, research assistant at the DDR Museum
(IN GERMAN)
Additional information
Dates
October 2025
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