Before streaming, smartphones, or even cable, television itself was the prize. For Soviet families in the mid-20th century, owning a TV was a major event — one worth dressing up for and photographing.
A project called “My First TV,” curated by collectors Anna Pilipyuk and Vladimir Shipotilnikov, brings together found photographs of Soviet families posing with their television sets. The images span the years between World War II and Perestroika.
In photo after photo, families stand or sit beside their sets in their best clothes, faces full of pride. The TV often sits in the most visible spot in the living room. Some sets are decorated with lace doilies or fresh flowers.
Consumer goods were scarce in the Soviet Union, and a television represented real luxury. It linked families to news, entertainment, and a wider world they had little other access to.
Early sets in the collection are bulky and boxy, with small screens perched on tables or wooden stands. Later photographs show sleeker models that sit more naturally within the home.
The television wasn’t just furniture. It was a status symbol, a gathering point, and a shared experience for the whole family. These photos document that shift in everyday Soviet life with striking honesty.
