The Life Span of Things in Soviet Society.

The article discusses the Soviet Union in the last three decades of its existence, presenting a "cultural biography of things." Particularly, the author examines the life span of underwear and outerwear in Soviet society. Topics of discussion include a sociology of everyday things, the gap that existed between the producers of items and the consumers of items, and the probability that every Soviet family had a Singer sewing machine. Also discussed are attempts of Soviet consumers to adapt to material shortages in Soviet society.