Why were doors upholstered with leatherette in the USSR, and what does cigarettes have to do with it? The mystery of an entire era.

The tradition of upholstering the front door with leatherette began in the mid-50s of the last century, and continued until the early 90s. Yes, and in modern times, you can find doors covered with leatherette upholstery, on which the design of that time flaunts – buttons, and a metal wire is stretched between them.

The Soviet habit of decorating entrance doors in this way did not arise at all because of a craving for beauty. First of all, citizens were guided by practical considerations.

Noise isolation. A thick layer of foam rubber or industrial wool was first glued to the surface. Thus, the front door became soundproof, and protected the dwelling from the cold.

Cigarette smoke . It is no secret that earlier in the USSR it was allowed to smoke absolutely everywhere. Those who did not want to smoke in the apartment equipped smoking rooms right on the stairwell. The coating also protected from tobacco smoke.

Smell from the garbage disposal. Now in most skyscrapers it was forbidden to build a garbage chute, and residents of the area throw waste into common containers. But back in the late 60s, the garbage chute in high-rise buildings seemed to make life easier for citizens. Then people realized that it was a breeding ground for rats, cockroaches and stench. The upholstery protected from these factors.

Leatherette was not a scarce commodity, and it was sold at a low cost. Its color scheme did not differ in variety – they produced mainly red, black and blue. If it was not possible to get a piece of foam rubber for the lining, then old wadded blankets could be used instead. Trade workers managed to acquire luxurious lacquer finishes. Such a door evoked a feeling of admiration and envy.

It was considered especially chic if straps made of the same material or metal strings were stretched over the doors. In the late 70s, door handles in the form of a lion’s head with a special “knock” began to go on sale. Some were afraid to make the door too flashy, as it could become a bait for apartment thieves. It was by the appearance of the entrance to the apartment that representatives of the criminal environment determined the well-being of the owners.

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