GDR heating pad: The over 40-year-old relic and its secrets!
Find out how nostalgic everyday GDR objects, such as Annette Franke-Blume's functioning heating pad, awaken memories and encourage the preservation of history.

GDR heating pad: The over 40-year-old relic and its secrets!
There is a very special touch of nostalgia in Cologne that reminds many of the good old days of the GDR. The retro trend for old household appliances is picking up speed and making the hearts of many “Ossis” beat faster. An exciting example of this is Annette Franke-Blume's heating pad. For 47 years she has been using the relic given to her by her father-in-law, which he won at the Prize Skat. During the tight winter months, when the heating in the agricultural engineering school failed, the heating pad was her faithful companion during the train journeys in the 1978/79 winter season. And the best thing about it: It still works today and often helps with colds.
But what about the safety of these ancient treasures? In this context, Karl-Heinz Rohde warns of the fire hazard that can arise from old heating pads. He recommends disposal, while Stefan Emmrich and other readers enthusiastically remember similar products from the GDR. “I could just put the old stuff in the living room,” says one of them with a wink.
Everyday heroes from the GDR
Nowadays, not only heating pads are in demand, but also a variety of other devices that have proven durability over the decades. Angelika and Thomas Züfle, for example, have been using an RG 25 mixer for 53 years, which has never had to be repaired - a true piece of quality! Karin Stehle also plans to pass on her 40-year-old hand mixer to her granddaughters. “That thing has seen more than some young people,” she jokes.
What would the GDR legacy be without the classic orange plastic clocks from Ruhland or the practical mixer icon from the 70s? The Mühlbach family from Stuttgart not only counts an RG 25 among their treasures, but also a special opener for baby porridge jars. Hardly anyone can resist the charm of these everyday helpers, as they are not only functional, but also bring back countless memories!
Living memories and valuable treasures
Nostalgia is often linked to very personal stories. A woman from Dresden describes how the souvenir of the first years of marriage and the time with small children is not only a commodity, but also part of family history. "There is no such thing as throwing something away out of convenience. We repair, tinker with and value the things that accompany us," says a 66-year-old man from Dresden, who sees the way of life in the GDR as characterized by the conscious use of raw materials.
Even old devices that don't seem to have a personal connection can bring joy. A family from Saxony has kept a working typewriter in the basement for their grandchildren - a piece of history that can also inspire young ones. The ways in which you can use these nostalgic memorabilia are varied and often associated with beautiful moments.
Finally, the Nordkurier invites everyone to share their stories and memories from the GDR era. Because one thing is clear: whether it's a heating pad, a mixer or a piece of writing - the memories are alive and deserve to be passed on.
To find out more about Annette Franke-Blume's heating pad and other interesting stories, please visit nnn.de, or read the exciting insights into everyday objects in the GDR mdr.de and family.de. There you will not only find memories, but also a colorful collection of treasures that can find their place in every home.