Via /.: 23 years ago today, Soviet Missle Commander Stanislav Petrov saved the world by refusing to believe that the United States had launched a concerted nuclear attack against The Mother Country. Nice going, man.
In a “that’s where I know you from” moment: reading the 28-June cover story in Seven Days (“Bombs Away” by Cathy Resmer), I get to this passage: Why would he want to live in an underground missile facility? “Who wouldn’t?” asks the cheeky Aussie. “The cool factor is just unbelievable.” Michael spends six weeks each […]
Via MeFi: Old propaganda posters about Stalin and the Soviet people. Some choice favorites: Silenced Statue of Liberty (I guess it was the weight of the money…) Poor kid and his closed school To vote is to rule? Stalin and Chairman Mao! (I think this one is my favorite, especially the Chairman’s book) Just say […]
A. sent this to me a while ago… Long overdue: The Cold War Museum. I love this idea. I can’t think of a better way to honor this twisted historical period (and ethos!) but housing its relics in an indestructible ICBM silo. Spy planes, listening devices, satellites, nuclear warheads, the Berlin Wall, Kruschev’s hat…!
26-04-1986.com: Flash heavy site but full of beautiful (if utterly haunting) images taken in Chernobyl to comemmorate the event. There are some images of derelict military equipment that give me surprisingly more shivers than the images of the empty radioactive orphanage. (At least I assume it’s an orphanage.) Previously on F_D: 20 Years of Chernobyl
Could this not be the ultimate in Cold War Era Nostalgia: Denver, CO. 210 total acres. Very rare – 1 of only 18 built. Massive 45,000 + sq. ft. of underground floor-space; high chain-link fence around central complex; 2 high capacity deep wells in power dome; 3 missile silos all interconnected by ½ miles of […]
So I watched 2010 tonight since my local Blockbuster doesn’t seem to have 2001. This is a drag for several reasons. But for several other reasons, I’ll live with it. 2010 is good enough in it’s own right. Potential spoilers below: First and foremost, it stands well enough on its own. You get enough of […]
Via Boing Boing (where else?): Soviet-era New Years cards!
Another one via Boing Boing (two today!): Soviet stamps! The space-ship stuff (especially in ’66 to ’70 are especially cool. currently playing: Intermix “Ceremonial Chant”
Via Boing Boing (they’re great for this stuff, aren’t they?): a photo gallery of Soviet-era consumer goods! It’s in Czech, so good luck reading it… My personal favorite.