"How East Germany influenced design."

Here's an old East German joke.

A citizen orders a Trabant car. The salesman tells him to come back to pick it up in nine years. The customer asks: "Shall I come back in the morning or in the evening then?"

"You're joking, aren't you?"

"No, not at all. It's just that I need to know whether the plumber can come at 3 p.m. or not."

But there were some positive developments, too.

How East Germany influenced design

Several household items created in East Germany have turned into nostalgic collectibles. An exhibition in Berlin explores how these objects were designed. Some are surprisingly indestructible.