In the quaint town of Bernkastel-Kues, the Zylinderhaus museum offers, beside the amazing collection of vintage cars and motorcycles, a fascinating glimpse into the past with its reconstitution of a home electric appliance shop from the 60s and 70s.
This nostalgic exhibit showcases a variety of household items that were once staples in West German homes, including hairdryers, radios, and more.
During the 60s and 70s, these appliances were considered modern conveniences and were priced accordingly. For instance, a hairdryer could cost around 50-70 DM, while a radio might be priced at 100-150 DM. These prices were quite significant at the time, considering the average monthly salary in West Germany was around 1,000 DM.
Fast forward to today, and the prices of similar appliances have drastically changed. A modern hairdryer can be purchased for approximately 20-30 euros, and a radio is even more affordable, often found for less than 10 euros. When adjusted for inflation and considering the average monthly salary in Germany today, which is around 3,500 euros, these appliances are much more affordable now than they were in the past.
Comparing the affordability, it’s clear that while the prices of home appliances have decreased in absolute terms, the relative affordability has increased significantly. In the 60s and 70s, purchasing these items represented a considerable expense, whereas today, they are accessible to a much larger portion of the population.
The Zylinderhaus museum not only preserves these fascinating pieces of history but also provides a valuable perspective on how technological advancements and economic changes have influenced the affordability and accessibility of home appliances over the decades.
#RetroTech #HomeAppliances #Nostalgia #WestGermany #TechHistory
