The Soviet Union was notoriously poor at prioritizing consumer goods, it’s probably one of the reasons for their downfall. One must admit though that both them and the PRC have achieved something in uplifting backwards feudal empires into something resembling modernity. I’m not sure that could’ve been achievable counterfactually, and as we saw with the sudden free market capture of post-Soviet Russia in the ‘90s, with a much smaller body count.

Anyway, you asked for Soviet creative products and I’ve named one. For what it’s worth, I’ve also heard good things about Soviet watches, I had a coworker who collected them and they’ve been discussed before on HN.

https://news.ycombinator.com/item?id=27164417

Digital watches of far greater accuracy are available in a blister pack on a peg in the supermarket for $5.

When the Red Army invaded Germany, the number 1 looted object was wristwatches. Soldiers would have a row of them affixed to their forearms. In multiple books I've read, they were always looking for wristwatches.

My father (B-17 crew) was issued a wristwatch, but I've been unable to find it among his stuff. Timekeeping was essential for coordinated military operations.

> have achieved something in uplifting backwards feudal empires towards something resembling modernity

The USSR was described as 3rd world country with a 1st world military. The PRC launched their economy by abandoning Marxism and embracing free markets. Cuba is a mess as it still tries to hang on to Marxism.

I did read the Soviet watch article when it was here - most interesting!

Cheap digital watches lack the aesthetic charm of mechanical, not to mention are dependent upon battery power.

> The USSR was described as 3rd world country with a 1st world military.

And yet, tsarist Russia was even poorer and had worse standards of living. Pointing out that a change in state led to a difference in quality is not a moral judgment, nor does it necessitate an endorsement of that change.